Leon Draisaitl

Leon Tim Draisaitl was born on October 27, 1995, in Cologne, Germany, into a household where hockey was less a hobby than an inheritance. His father, Peter Draisaitl, was a professional forward who spent 18 years playing in German leagues — most notably for Kölner Haie and Adler Mannheim — and represented West Germany and unified Germany at the 1988, 1992, and 1998 Winter Olympics. Growing up, Leon gravitated toward multiple sports, including football, but the rink always won out. As a teenager he skated for the Kölner Haie under-16 program and the Adler Mannheim under-18 team, and spent extra time at the Eissporthalle Ravensburg, where his father coached the Towerstars. It was there, working alongside a Canadian import named Ben Thomson, that Draisaitl began developing the habits that would define him — arriving early, staying late, spending hours with a puck and stick in the corridor between sessions. In the 2011–12 Deutsche Nachwuchsliga season, he recorded 21 goals and 56 points in 35 games for Jungadler Mannheim and was named the league's Player of the Year. Germany had quietly produced something the hockey world wasn't quite ready for.

The next stage demanded a bigger arena. Selected second overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2012 CHL Import Draft, Draisaitl relocated to Saskatchewan at 16 and spent two seasons adjusting to the North American game. He posted 105 points in 64 games in his second WHL season with the Raiders, and the 2014 NHL Draft made it official — the Edmonton Oilers selected him third overall, the highest any German-trained player had ever been chosen. He cracked the Oilers' opening-night roster that fall, debuting on October 9, 2014, but was returned to junior hockey mid-season for further development. Traded to the Kelowna Rockets in January 2015, Draisaitl helped carry them to the WHL Championship, posting 28 points in 19 playoff games and earning both WHL Playoff MVP and the Stafford Smythe Trophy as Memorial Cup MVP. He came back to Edmonton the following season a different player — more assured, harder to move, and increasingly difficult to defend.

The partnership with Connor McDavid became one of the league's most feared combinations, but the 2019–20 season made clear that Draisaitl was far more than a complementary piece. He led the entire NHL with 110 points — 43 goals and 67 assists across 71 games — and became the first German-born player in history to win the Art Ross Trophy. The Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award followed, making him the first German to claim all three in a single season. His 50-goal, 105-point campaign in 2018–19 had already announced his elite status; his career-high 128 points in 80 games during 2022–23 only deepened the case. In September 2024, the Oilers locked him in with an eight-year, $112 million extension at $14 million annually through 2032–33 — at the time the highest cap hit in NHL history. His response was straightforward: "I don't know anything other than Edmonton. I'm excited to wear that jersey every single day."

The 2024–25 season brought another defining chapter. Draisaitl posted 52 goals and 106 points in 71 games, earning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal-scorer — his fourth 50-goal season in five years. On December 16, 2025, he became the first German-born player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points, recording four assists in a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins to join an exclusive group of Oilers franchise legends alongside Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, and Connor McDavid. Months later, at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan — the first Games to feature NHL players since 2014 — his German teammates and more than 135,000 public voters chose him to carry the national flag at the opening ceremony. For a player who grew up far from hockey's traditional heartland, skating on side ice in Ravensburg while his father ran practice, the moment carried real weight. He had not just reached the top of his sport. He had changed what the top of his sport looks like.
 

FAQs About Leon Draisaitl :

What is Leon Draisaitl's nickname?

His most popular nicknames are "The German Gretzky," "Neon Leon," and "The Deutschland Dangler," with teammates also calling him the "Human Apple Tree."

How many hat tricks does Leon Draisaitl have?

Draisaitl has recorded 9 regular season hat tricks and 2 playoff hat tricks for 11 total in his NHL career.

What stick does Leon Draisaitl use?

Draisaitl currently uses the Warrior Alpha LX3 Pro hockey stick.

What curve does Leon Draisaitl use?

He uses a custom oversized flat PM9-style curve, famously nicknamed the "Burger Flipper" for its uniquely large blade.

What helmet does Leon Draisaitl wear?

Draisaitl wears the Warrior Covert PX2 helmet paired with an Oakley 831 visor.

Is Leon Draisaitl playing in the Olympics?

Yes — Draisaitl made his Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina and served as Germany's flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

How many of Leon Draisaitl's goals were assisted by McDavid?

McDavid has assisted on approximately 60–70 of Draisaitl's career goals, making them one of the most productive duos in modern NHL history.

What flex does Leon Draisaitl use?

Draisaitl uses a 100 flex stick, which is stiffer than most NHL forwards and suits his powerful playing style.

Is Leon Draisaitl a Hall of Famer?

He is not yet eligible, but with a Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, 1,000+ career points, and multiple 50-goal seasons, he is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.

Is Leon Draisaitl left handed?

Yes — Draisaitl shoots left, as confirmed by Hockey Reference and all official NHL records.