Nino Niederreiter

Lore & Background

Niederreiter made his NHL debut with the Islanders early in the 2010–11 season before being returned to his junior club, the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL). After finding difficulty securing playtime with the Islanders, he requested a trade and was dealt to the Minnesota Wild, where he spent parts of five seasons. In his sixth year with the Wild, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, where he signed a contract to play for the following three seasons. Afterwards, he signed with the Nashville Predators, who traded him to the Jets after only part of a season.

In Their Own Story

The Xcel Energy Center is hushed in the third period, 2015. St. Louis has pulled their goalie. The clock reads 1:47. Niederreiter drops into the neutral zone, sticks the puck on the tape, and reads the rotation of Blues defenders before they even commit. He doesn't rush. He lets the play breathe for two, three seconds—long enough for the noise in the building to drop to a murmur. Then a one-timer, no windup, just a soft push through the slot. The puck is in the net before the crowd's lungs remember how to fill. He skates back on defense, already setting up for the faceoff, as if the goal was a Tuesday. Around him, Koivu is shouting, Parise is waving him in. But Niederreiter just nods, tucks his stick under his arm, and gets back to work. That's the thing about Nino. The moment belongs to the team. He's already thinking about the next shift.

Reader's Guide

Niederreiter played for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL, leading them in goals with 36 in his rookie season. He was selected to the CHL Top Prospects Game and scored in the game. He was drafted fifth overall by the New York Islanders in 2010. He played for the Islanders, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, and Winnipeg Jets. He scored his first NHL goal on 13 October 2010 against Michal Neuvirth. He played his 1,000th NHL game on December 13, 2025, becoming the first Swiss-born player to reach the mark.

Did You Know?

• Niederreiter was the highest-drafted Swiss hockey player in NHL history until Nico Hischier was drafted first overall in 2017.
• He scored his first NHL goal at age 18 years and 35 days, making him the fifth-youngest NHL player in the expansion era to score a goal.
• He was traded to the Minnesota Wild on 30 June 2013 in exchange for Cal Clutterbuck and a third-round pick.
• He played his 1,000th NHL game on December 13, 2025, the first Swiss-born player to do so.