Last Updated on November 10, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Nico Hischier is a Swiss professional ice hockey player and captain of the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 4, 1999, in Brig, Switzerland, and raised in Naters, he comes from an athletic family that has played an important role in his development as a professional hockey player.
Hischier’s family includes his father, Rino Hischier, his mother, Katja Hischier, his older brother, Luca Hischier, and his older sister, Nina Hischier. His parents were both involved in sports, while his siblings also pursued athletic careers.
Although his family background is well documented, Hischier has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
Nico Hischier’s Girlfriend or Wife
Nico Hischier was previously in a publicly documented relationship with Lorena Orlacchio, a woman from Switzerland whom he dated during the early years of his professional hockey career.
The relationship attracted attention in 2017 after Hischier became the first overall selection in the NHL Entry Draft.
According to Swiss media reports, Lorena supported Hischier during his transition from junior hockey in Switzerland to professional competition in North America.
She was photographed alongside him during celebrations in his hometown of Naters following his historic NHL draft selection.
In December 2017, the Swiss newspaper Blick reported that Lorena had traveled from Switzerland to visit Hischier in New Jersey during the Christmas holidays.
However, their relationship should not be assumed to have continued indefinitely. In an interview published by Schweizer Illustrierte in October 2021, Hischier described himself as single.
There has been no reliable subsequent public confirmation identifying a current girlfriend, fiancée, or wife.
Who Is Lorena Orlacchio?
Lorena Orlacchio became known to hockey fans through her relationship with Nico Hischier during his teenage years and early NHL career.
She lived in Switzerland while Hischier pursued his career in North America. Despite the distance, the couple maintained contact and occasionally spent time together during visits.
Swiss media documented their relationship in 2017, including Lorena’s presence during celebrations following Hischier’s selection by the New Jersey Devils.
Beyond these appearances, Lorena has maintained a relatively private life. Her occupation and subsequent personal circumstances have not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.
Some online biographies continue to identify Lorena as Hischier’s girlfriend without acknowledging his later statement that he was single. Consequently, those descriptions should not be treated as confirmation of his present relationship status.
Is Nico Hischier Married?
There is no verified public announcement confirming that Nico Hischier is married.
Although his relationship with Lorena Orlacchio was reported several years ago, no credible sources have established that they married.
His current marital status therefore remains unconfirmed through reliable public reporting.
Does Nico Hischier Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Nico Hischier has children.
The New Jersey Devils captain generally keeps his romantic life and family plans separate from his professional hockey career.
Interviews with Hischier and his relatives have focused primarily on his parents, siblings, childhood, and close connection to Switzerland.
No sons or daughters have been publicly identified in reliable NHL reports or official player biographies.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim definitively that he has no children. The available public information simply does not confirm any.
Nico Hischier’s Parents
Nico Hischier was raised by his parents, Rino and Katja Hischier, in Naters, a municipality in the Swiss canton of Valais.
Both parents have athletic backgrounds and encouraged their three children to participate in sports from an early age.
Father: Rino Hischier
Nico Hischier’s father is Rino Hischier, a former Swiss football player who competed for FC Naters.
Rino played football at a competitive level in Switzerland before becoming involved in coaching and player development.
According to Swiss media, he also worked as an instructor for the Swiss Football Association.
His sporting background helped create an environment where Nico and his siblings were encouraged to develop discipline, teamwork, and confidence.
Although Rino had a strong football background, he supported Nico and Luca when they developed a greater interest in ice hockey.
In a December 2022 interview published by the New Jersey Devils, Rino discussed his relationship with Nico and the challenges of following his son’s NHL career from Switzerland.
Because many Devils games take place during the early morning hours in Switzerland, Rino explained that he often checked the results and highlights after waking up.
He also emphasized that his conversations with Nico were not always about hockey. Instead, the family preferred to discuss everyday life and other interests.
This approach helped Nico maintain a balanced perspective despite the pressure associated with being an NHL star and team captain.
Rino has continued supporting his son’s career and has participated in New Jersey Devils family events, including the team’s fathers and mentors activities.
Mother: Katja Hischier
Nico Hischier’s mother is Katja Hischier, a former competitive swimmer and sports teacher from Switzerland.
Katja played a particularly important role in introducing Nico and his older brother Luca to ice hockey.
Since their hometown of Naters did not have a suitable local ice rink, she frequently took the boys to nearby Visp, where they learned to skate and developed their passion for the sport.
Her background in swimming and physical education helped establish an appreciation for athletics within the family.
In November 2024, Katja participated in an interview with New Jersey Devils reporter Amanda Stein, discussing her son’s personality and development.
She explained that Nico had remained grounded despite becoming a prominent NHL player.
Katja also described how she enjoys visiting him in New Jersey, where they spend time cooking, watching television, completing puzzles, and discussing subjects unrelated to hockey.
According to Katja, Nico has always been curious about the world and interested in understanding people, history, and philosophy.
She emphasized the importance of family time during the offseason, when Nico returns to Switzerland to relax and reconnect with his relatives.
Her comments illustrate the close relationship between mother and son and the importance of maintaining a normal family life alongside professional sports.
Nico Hischier’s Siblings
Nico Hischier is the youngest of three children. He has two older siblings: a brother named Luca and a sister named Nina.
Both siblings participated in competitive sports, reflecting the family’s strong athletic background.
Older Brother: Luca Hischier
Luca Hischier is Nico Hischier’s older brother and a Swiss professional ice hockey player.
Born on March 16, 1995, Luca is approximately four years older than Nico.
He developed his hockey career in Switzerland, playing for organizations including SC Bern, HC Davos, EHC Biel-Bienne, and Genève-Servette HC.
Luca has represented Switzerland internationally and has competed in the country’s top professional hockey league.
Growing up, Nico looked up to Luca and frequently followed his older brother’s example.
In interviews, Nico has explained that Luca was one of his earliest hockey role models.
The brothers spent considerable time practicing together during childhood, including shooting pucks against the garage door at their family home.
When Nico was 15, he moved to Bern, where he lived with Luca and their aunt while continuing his hockey development.
The brothers have maintained a strong relationship despite pursuing their professional careers in different countries.
In a 2025 New Jersey Devils feature, Swiss hockey player Andres Ambühl recalled how Nico admired Luca during his younger years.
Nico has repeatedly described his brother as an important source of inspiration and advice.
Their shared passion for hockey remains one of the defining characteristics of the Hischier family.
Older Sister: Nina Hischier
Nina Hischier is Nico Hischier’s older sister. She is approximately two years older than him and has a background in competitive volleyball.
According to the NHL Players’ Association, Nina was a talented volleyball player who competed at a high level in Switzerland.
She has also played an important role in supporting Nico during his development as a professional athlete.
When Nico moved to Canada to play for the Halifax Mooseheads during the 2016–17 season, Nina spent approximately two months visiting him.
Her presence helped him adjust to living far from his family in Switzerland.
In interviews, Nico has spoken positively about his relationship with both siblings, explaining that he values their advice and experiences.
Although Nina has maintained a relatively private life, she remains an important member of the Hischier family.
Nico Hischier’s Family Background and Childhood
Nico Hischier grew up in Naters, Switzerland, surrounded by a family that encouraged participation in multiple sports.
His father played football, his mother practiced swimming, his brother pursued ice hockey, and his sister participated in competitive volleyball.
During childhood, Nico played football, tennis, floorball, and other sports before deciding to focus on ice hockey.
He began skating at approximately two and a half years old, inspired by his older brother Luca.
His mother helped him develop his interest in hockey by taking him to the ice rink in Visp.
Eventually, Nico joined the EHC Visp youth system before progressing to SC Bern.
He later moved to Canada and played for the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
During his time in Halifax, he lived with a host family, Ash and Mandy Phillips, and their children, Ethan and Megan.
The Phillips family became an important source of support while Nico was adapting to life in North America.
When Hischier was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, his parents and siblings attended the event.
That moment represented a major achievement for the family, which had supported his hockey ambitions since childhood.
Despite building his professional career in North America, Hischier continues to maintain close ties with his Swiss hometown and relatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nico Hischier’s Family
Who is Nico Hischier’s girlfriend?
Nico Hischier previously dated Lorena Orlacchio, who was publicly identified as his girlfriend in 2017. However, Hischier described himself as single in a 2021 interview, and his current relationship status has not been reliably confirmed.
Is Nico Hischier married?
There is no verified public information confirming that Nico Hischier is married.
Does Nico Hischier have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports identifying any children of Nico Hischier.
Who are Nico Hischier’s parents?
His parents are Rino Hischier, a former Swiss football player, and Katja Hischier, a former swimmer and sports teacher.
Who is Nico Hischier’s brother?
His older brother is Luca Hischier, a Swiss professional ice hockey player who has competed for several teams in Switzerland’s National League.
Does Nico Hischier have a sister?
Yes. Nico Hischier has an older sister named Nina Hischier, who previously played competitive volleyball in Switzerland.
How many siblings does Nico Hischier have?
Nico Hischier has two siblings: his older brother, Luca, and his older sister, Nina. He is the youngest of the three children.
Where did Nico Hischier grow up?
He grew up in Naters, Switzerland, where he developed an interest in ice hockey before joining the EHC Visp youth system.
Did Nico Hischier’s parents play sports?
Yes. His father played competitive football, while his mother was a swimmer and later worked as a sports teacher.
Are Nico Hischier and Luca Hischier related?
Yes. Nico and Luca Hischier are biological brothers who both became professional ice hockey players.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
