Nico to join Team Switzerland after playoff elimination

Nico and the New Jersey Devils have been eliminated from the NHL playoffs. They lost their first round series vs. the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.

The loss naturally marks the end of the Devils’ season, which was characterized by (too) many injuries, especially down the stretch. Individually, Nico finished his eighth year in the National Hockey League with 35 goals and 34 assists in 75 games (+9), while prevailing in 55,5% of his faceoffs. In the playoffs, Nico scored four more times and finished the series with an even plus-minus.

Following the Devils exit meetings and final health and fitness tests, Nico travelled back to Europe yesterday, where he’ll be joining Team Switzerland to participate in this year’s IIHF World Championships in Denmark and Sweden. The Swiss will be looking to repeat last year’s run into the final and will kick-off this year’s tournament this Friday at 10:20 am (EST) with a rematch of last year’s gold medal game vs. the Czech Republic. Game 2 will see them take on host Denmark on Saturday afternoon at 2:20 PM (EST).