Andrew Gross

NorthJersey

NEWARK – They threw him a party and got him a watch. A Swiss-made watch at that.

Nico Hischier celebrated being selected No. 1 overall in the NHL Draft last month as the guest of honor at a festive gathering his family and neighbors organized in his hometown of Naters, Switzerland, which, he estimated, has a population of around 7,000.

“The village is not that big,” Hischier said. “You kind of know everybody.”

Now, though, it’s back to work for Hischier, 18, as he begins his acclimation to professional hockey.

Tuesday marked the first on-ice sessions at the Devils prospects’ development camp – the players reported on Monday – and Hischier participated in the skating and stickhandling drills, the two-on-ones and the close-quarter battle drills.

Wednesday, Devils’ fans will get to see him live for the first time in a four-team, three-on-three competition at Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center. A full scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday, the final day of the summer camp.

“The first thing I saw was his speed,” said development camp participant Miles Wood, 21, who had eight goals and nine assists in 60 games as a Devils’ rookie last season. “That’s always a plus. The one thing you can’t change at this point in life is you either have speed or you don’t.

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“Now, it’s up to him to know when to use the speed and when not to use the speed,” Wood added. “That’s something I had trouble with. It’s exciting to get more speed on the team.”

Hischier’s fluid skating, speed and stickhandling were all on display on Tuesday even if Hischier, who had 38 goals and 48 assists in 57 games for Halifax (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) last season, admitted to some typical summer rust in his tired legs.

Hischier has been working out in Switzerland but Tuesday marked just his fourth time on ice since the end of his season.

“I would say I was a little bit nervous,” Hischier said.

“I’ve got to take as much as I can out of this week,” Hischier added. “I want to be a better player. Now, it’s the big leagues. They know what they’re talking about. I’ve got to try to do it every day. To play in this league, you’ve got to be a pro. You’ve got to work on yourself every day. It’s not just coming to practice and saying, ‘It’s a practice.’”

The week-long development camp is a chance for the prospects to work with the Devils’ training staff and AHL coaching staff. General manager Ray Shero, assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald, director of amateur scouting Paul Castron, coach John Hynes and assistant coach Geoff Ward – his left arm in a sling – were among the team’s brass watching Tuesday’s two on-ice sessions.

Hischier repeatedly described himself as “excited” to participate in the camp.

“It’s exciting to meet all the new guys,” Hischier said. “All these guys are pretty skilled. I liked it, it feels good.”

Hischier is spending the week rooming with defenseman Steven Santini, 22, of Mahopac, N.Y., who had two goals and five assists in 38 games as a Devils’ rookie last season.

“We’re talking more about the city and the organization and where to live,” Hischier said. “I’m excited just to be here.”

Winning the NHL Draft Lottery and selecting Hischier over Winnipeg-born center Nolan Patrick, who went No. 2 to the Metropolitan Division rival Flyers, along with acquiring top-six forward Marcus Johansson from the Capitals and signing bottom-six veteran Brian Boyle to a two-year, $5.1 million deal has infused a level of excitement into a franchise that has missed the playoffs the last five seasons.

“Now, looking around at the pieces, it’s exciting for the organization to have that competition,” said forward Blake Speers, 20, who was scoreless in three games for the Devils last season, of trying to win a roster spot in training camp.

BRIEF: Forwards John Quenneville and Brandon Gignac are being held out of on-ice activities this week for precautionary reasons, the Devils announced. Goalie Gilles Senn, a fifth-round pick last month, also did not skate on Tuesday for precautionary reasons, though he may be on the ice later this week.

E-mail: grossa@northjersey.com