Nino Niederreiter
| Nino Niederreiter | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Born |
8 September 1992 Chur, Switzerland |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Right Wing | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
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NHL team Former teams |
Minnesota Wild HC Davos New York Islanders |
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| National team |
 Switzerland
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| NHL Draft | 5th overall, 2010 New York Islanders |
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| Playing career | 2009–present | ||
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| Medal record | ||
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| Men's Ice hockey | ||
| Representing Switzerland
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| World Championships | ||
 |
2013 Sweden/Finland | |
Nino Niederreiter (born 8 September 1992), nicknamed El Niño, is a Swiss ice hockey player currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, making him the highest-drafted Swiss hockey player in NHL history. 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). Prior to coming over to North America Niederreiter had played in the junior system of the Swiss team HC Davos, and appeared in three playoff games for the senior club in 2010. He was traded to the Minnesota Wild on 30 June 2013 for Cal Clutterbuck and a third round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Unlike many Swiss hockey players, Niederreiter decided to play hockey in North American junior hockey to give him a better shot of making the National Hockey League (NHL). Past Swiss first round draft picks Luca Cereda and Michel Riesen were known in hockey circles as "Swiss misses", as they never made an impact in the NHL. Niederreiter followed in the footsteps of his Swiss teammate and friend Luca Sbisa and declared himself eligible for the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. He was drafted by the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL and enjoyed success in his rookie year.
While playing with Portland, Niederreiter was selected to play in the prestigious CHL Top Prospects Game to play for coach Bobby Orr. After scoring a fantastic "trick shot" goal in the trick shot competition during the skills competition on 20 January 2010, Niederreiter opened the scoring during the actual game the following day. He scored with 2:38 remaining in the first period on top-ranked goaltender Calvin Pickard to give Team Orr a 1–0 lead at the break. Team Cherry would eventually win by a score of 4–2. In Niederreiter's first season of North American play and rookie season for the Portland, he led the Winterhawks in goals scored with 36. This was also good for 18th in the entire Western Hockey League and second amongst rookies. He added 24 assists, for 60 points on the season, good for fourth on the Winterhawks. He recorded a further 16 points in 13 playoff games, second best on the team. The WHL recognised Niederreiter by selecting him to the league's Western Conference Second All-Star Team.
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