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	Centre / Left Wing
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 German professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre and alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL).

In 2020, Leon became the first German player to win three big NHL awards:

• The Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points.
• The Hart Memorial Trophy for being the regular season's most valuable player.
• The Ted Lindsay Award for being the most outstanding player, as voted by other players.

Many people think he is one of the best players in the NHL. Leon's father, Peter Draisaitl, was also a famous ice hockey player for Germany.

Leon was picked second overall in the 2012 CHL Import Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders. Later, the Edmonton Oilers drafted him third overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

Growing Up in Germany

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

As a child, Leon tried many sports, including association football. But ice hockey was his favorite. He played for youth teams like Kölner Haie and Adler Mannheim.

In the 2011–12 season, playing for Jungadler Mannheim, he scored 21 goals and 56 points in 35 games. He was named the league's Player of the Year.

Playing Hockey Professionally

Starting in Junior Leagues

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 Canada.

During the 2015 World Junior Championships, 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.

He also won the Stafford Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2015 Memorial Cup. Even though the Rockets lost the final game, Leon showed how talented he was.

Joining the NHL

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, against the Calgary Flames. He scored his first NHL goal on October 24 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Leon played 37 games for the Oilers in his first season. He then went back to play for the Prince Albert Raiders to gain more experience.

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

Becoming a Star Player

The 2016–17 season was a big one for Leon and the Oilers. He had six straight games with multiple points, a rare achievement. He finished the season with 29 goals and 48 assists for 77 points.

The Oilers, led by Leon and captain Connor McDavid, made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Leon scored his first NHL playoff goal against the San Jose Sharks.

In the second round against the Anaheim Ducks, Leon scored a hat-trick in Game 6. He also had five points in that game, helping the Oilers force a Game 7.

On August 16, 2017, Leon signed a big eight-year contract with the Oilers. This contract was seen as a great deal for the team as he became an even bigger star.

The 2018–19 season saw Leon reach new personal bests. He became the sixth Oiler to score at least 50 goals in a season. He was also the ninth Oiler to score at least 100 points in a season. He finished with 50 goals and 55 assists for 105 points.

Award-Winning Seasons

The 2019–20 season was amazing for Leon. He led the league in points, scoring 43 goals and 67 assists for 110 points in 71 games. This earned him the Art Ross Trophy. He was the third Oilers player and the first German player to win it.

He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player. And he won the Ted Lindsay Award, voted by his fellow players as the most outstanding player.

In the 2020 playoffs, the Oilers played in a special "bubble" due to the pandemic. They lost to the Chicago Blackhawks, even though Leon played well with six points in four games.

For the 2020–21 season, all Canadian teams played in their own division. Leon had another strong season, finishing second in league scoring with 31 goals and 53 assists for 84 points. The Oilers made the playoffs but were swept by the Winnipeg Jets.

Recent Success and Stanley Cup Finals

The 2021–22 season started great for the Oilers. Leon and Connor McDavid were the first Oilers teammates since Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri to each get 20 points in the first 10 games. Leon scored 55 goals and 55 assists for 110 points, hitting the 50-goal and 100-point marks for the second and third times in his career.

In the 2022 playoffs, Leon played through a painful ankle injury. Despite this, he helped the Oilers win against the Los Angeles Kings and then the Calgary Flames. He set a playoff record with five straight games having three or more points against the Flames.

The Oilers reached the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006. They lost to the Colorado Avalanche, but Leon's effort while injured was highly praised.

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

On September 3, 2024, Leon signed a huge eight-year contract extension with the Oilers. This contract is one of the biggest in league history, showing how important he is to the team.

Playing for Germany

Draisaitl playing for Germany in 2014
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing Team Europe
World Cup
Silver	2016 Toronto

Leon Draisaitl also plays for the German national team. He played for the German junior team in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 2013 and 2014. He was even the team captain in 2014.

He has also played for the senior German team in the IIHF World Championship multiple times, including in 2014 and 2018. In 2016, he won a silver medal with Team Europe at the World Cup of Hockey.

Personal Life

In 2018, Leon Draisaitl started dating Canadian actress Celeste Desjardins. They announced their engagement on July 11, 2024.

Leon also has a dog named Bowie, who has his own Instagram account called bowiesworldd.

Awards and Honours

Records

• Most career power-play goals in Oilers’ franchise history (146)
• Most assists in a playoff series