Leon Draisaitl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leon Draisaitl
Draisaitl in July 2019
Born	(1995-10-27) 27 October 1995 (age 29) Cologne, Germany
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position	Forward
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Edmonton Oilers
National team	Germany
NHL Draft	3rd overall, 2014 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	2014–present

Leon Draisaitl (born October 27, 1995) is a professional ice hockey player from Germany. He plays as a forward and alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Leon is known as one of the best players in the NHL. In 2020, he made history as the first German player to win three major awards. He won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points. He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay Award for being the most outstanding player. In the 2024–25 season, he won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for scoring the most goals in the league.

Leon's father, Peter Draisaitl, was also a famous ice hockey player for Germany. He played in many international games, including three Winter Olympics.

Leon was chosen by the Prince Albert Raiders in 2012. Later, the Edmonton Oilers picked him third overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

Early Life and Hockey Beginnings

Leon Draisaitl was born in Cologne, Germany, on October 27, 1995. His father, Peter, played ice hockey for the Kölner Haie team and for the German national team.

As a child, Leon tried many sports, including association football. But he loved ice hockey the most. He played for youth teams like Kölner Haie and Adler Mannheim.

In the 2011–12 season, Leon played for Jungadler Mannheim's under-18 team. He scored 21 goals and had 56 points in 35 games. He was named the league's Player of the Year.

Playing Career Highlights

Junior Hockey Journey

Draisaitl in January 2014 at a top prospects game.

After his great season in Germany, Leon was picked second overall in the 2012 CHL Import Draft. He joined the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

In 2015, Leon was traded to the Kelowna Rockets. He helped the Rockets win the 2015 WHL Championship. He was named the playoff MVP, scoring 28 points in 19 games. Leon also won the Stafford Smythe Trophy as the Memorial Cup MVP that same year. His team, the Rockets, lost the final game of the 2015 Memorial Cup in overtime.

Starting in the NHL (2014–2016)

The Edmonton Oilers drafted Leon third overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft. This made him the highest-drafted German-trained player in NHL history.

On August 12, 2014, Leon signed his first contract with the Oilers. He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2014. His first NHL goal came on October 24 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Leon played 37 games for the Oilers in his first season. He scored two goals and had seven assists. He was then sent back to the Prince Albert Raiders to continue his development.

In the last Oilers game at Rexall Place on April 6, 2016, Leon scored the final NHL goal in that arena. The Oilers won 6–2 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Becoming an NHL Star (2016–Present)

The 2016-17 NHL season was a big year for Leon and the Oilers. On March 23, 2017, he became the first Oiler since 1990 to have six straight games with multiple points.

Leon finished the season with 29 goals and 48 assists for 77 points. The Oilers, led by Leon and captain Connor McDavid, made the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs after a 10-year drought.

In the playoffs, Leon scored his first NHL playoff goal against the San Jose Sharks. The Oilers won that series. In the next round against the Anaheim Ducks, Leon scored a hat-trick in Game 6. He also had five points in that game, helping the Oilers avoid elimination. The Oilers were eventually eliminated in Game 7. Leon finished his first playoffs with 16 points in 13 games.

On August 16, 2017, Leon signed a big eight-year contract with the Oilers. This contract was worth $68 million. Many people now see this as one of the best contracts in the league because Leon became an even bigger star.

The 2017-18 NHL season was tough for the Oilers and Leon. He dealt with an injury and his scoring dropped a bit. The team missed the playoffs that year.

The 2018–19 NHL season also had its challenges for the team. However, Leon had his best season yet in terms of points. On April 6, 2019, he became the sixth Oiler to score at least 50 goals in a season. He also became the ninth Oiler to reach 100 points in a season. He finished with 50 goals and 55 assists for 105 points. His 50 goals were second only to Alexander Ovechkin's 51 goals.

In the 2019-20 NHL season, Leon continued to improve. He was named an alternate captain. When the season ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Leon had 43 goals and a league-leading 67 assists for 110 points in 71 games. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer. He was the first German player to do so. He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) and the Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player).

The Oilers played in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs in a special "bubble." They were eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks. Leon had six points in four playoff games.

For the 2020–21 NHL season, the NHL changed its divisions due to travel rules. Leon and the Oilers had a strong season. On January 31, 2021, Leon had six assists in a game against the Ottawa Senators. This was the first time an Oilers player had done that since 1986. Leon finished second in league scoring with 84 points in 56 games. The Oilers were swept by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Draisaitl with the Edmonton Oilers in March 2023.

The 2021-22 NHL season started great for the Oilers. Leon and McDavid both reached 20 points within the first 10 games. Leon scored 20 goals in his first 19 games. He hit the 50-goal mark for the second time in his career on April 3, 2022. This goal also gave him 100 points for the third time. He finished the regular season with a career-high 55 goals and 110 points.

In the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Oilers faced the Los Angeles Kings. Leon got a high ankle sprain in Game 6 but kept playing. He helped the Oilers win that series. In the second round, the Oilers played the Calgary Flames in the "Battle of Alberta." Leon set a playoff record with five straight games having three or more points. He also became the fourth fastest player in NHL history to reach 50 playoff points. The Oilers reached the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006. They were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche. Leon played through a lot of pain from his injury during this series.

On April 5, 2024, Leon recorded his 500th NHL assist. He finished the 2023–24 NHL season with 41 goals and 65 assists for 106 points. In the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Leon helped the Oilers reach the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2006. They lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games.

On September 3, 2024, Leon signed a huge eight-year contract extension with the Oilers. It was worth $112 million, making it one of the richest contracts in league history. He finished the 2024–25 NHL season with 52 goals and 54 assists for 106 points. His 52 goals earned him his first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's top goal-scorer. He was also a finalist for the Hart Trophy again. In the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Leon and the Oilers returned to the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals, but again lost to the Panthers. Leon had 33 points in 22 playoff games.

International Play

Draisaitl playing for Germany in 2014
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing Team Europe
World Cup
Silver	2016 Toronto

Leon plays for Germany in international competitions. He played for the German junior team in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 2013 and 2014. He was the team captain in 2014.

He also played for the German senior team in the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2014 and 2018. In 2016, he won a silver medal with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Personal Life

In 2018, Leon started dating Canadian actress Celeste Desjardins. They announced their engagement on July 11, 2024. Leon has one sister, Kim, who is married to German field hockey player Niklas Wellen.

Leon's dog, Bowie, even has its own Instagram account!

Media and Sponsorships

In 2021, Leon Draisaitl became the first NHL player to sign with the sportswear brand Puma. He also has sponsorships with Warrior Sports, EA Sports, and Skip the Dishes.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2012	Germany	U17	9th		5	1	4	5	10
2012	Germany	U18	6th		6	2	5	7	2
2013	Germany	U18	8th		5	1	6	7	4
2013	Germany	WJC	9th		6	2	4	6	2
2014	Germany	WJC	9th		6	2	4	6	52
2014	Germany	WC	14th		7	1	3	4	0
2016	Germany	WC	7th		8	1	3	4	4
2016	Germany	OGQ	Q		3	2	3	5	0
2016	Team Europe	WCH			6	2	0	2	0
2017	Germany	WC	8th		3	0	2	2	2
2018	Germany	WC	11th		7	2	7	9	16
2019	Germany	WC	6th		8	5	3	8	0
Junior totals					28	8	23	31	60
Senior totals					42	13	21	34	22

Awards and Honours

Records

• Most career power-play goals in Oilers’ franchise history (146)
• Most assists in a playoff series (15)
• Most overtime goals in an NHL season (6)
• Most overtime goals in one NHL postseason (4)