Leon Draisaitl is a German professional ice hockey player who has gained fame for his outstanding skills on the ice. He plays for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL), which is the top professional hockey league in North America. Leon is known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, sharp passing, and strong leadership on the ice. As of recent years, Leon Draisaitl has become one of the best and most valuable players in the NHL.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leon Tim Draisaitl |
| Date of Birth | October 27, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Cologne, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 208 lb (94 kg) |
| Position | Center / Left Wing |
| Shoots | Left |
| Current Team | Edmonton Oilers (NHL) |
| NHL Draft | 3rd overall, 2014 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers |
| Professional Debut | 2014, with the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) |
| Junior Teams | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| Former Teams | Kölner Haie (Germany, DEL) |
| Father | Peter Draisaitl (Former professional hockey player) |
| Career Highlights | – Art Ross Trophy (2020) – Hart Memorial Trophy (2020) – Ted Lindsay Award (2020) – Multiple NHL All-Star selections – German Ice Hockey Player of the Year |
| Net Worth | Approximately $75 million (as of 2024) |
| Contract | 8-year, $68 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers (signed in 2017) |
| Endorsements | Various sports equipment and lifestyle brands |
| Languages | German, English |
| Hobbies | Golf, outdoor activities, charity work |
| Achievements | – Multiple 100-point seasons in the NHL – Recognized as one of the greatest German hockey players |
| Personal Life | Private individual, close family ties, especially with father Peter Draisaitl |
| Legacy | Considered one of the best players in the NHL and one of Germany’s greatest |
Early Life
Leon Draisaitl was born on October 27, 1995, in Cologne, Germany. His father, Peter Draisaitl, was also a professional hockey player, so Leon was introduced to the sport at a very young age. Growing up, hockey was a big part of Leon’s life. His father’s career in hockey meant that Leon was surrounded by the sport, and it wasn’t long before he picked up a hockey stick himself. Leon started playing organized hockey at the age of five.
Although hockey isn’t as popular in Germany as it is in countries like Canada or the United States, Leon’s passion for the sport kept growing. He played for local youth teams and quickly became one of the best players in his age group. His talent was evident, and it became clear that Leon had the potential to play at a much higher level.
Professional Life
Early Career in Germany
Leon began his professional career playing in Germany’s top hockey league, the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), for the Kölner Haie (Cologne Sharks). Even as a young player, he showed great promise and started catching the attention of scouts from North America. His play in Germany was impressive, but he knew that to reach the highest levels of the sport, he would need to move to North America.
Move to Canada
In 2012, Leon moved to Canada to play junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL), a major junior league that is part of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). He played for the Prince Albert Raiders. This was a significant step in his career, as the WHL is one of the best leagues for young players hoping to be drafted into the NHL.
Leon’s time in the WHL was highly successful. He quickly adapted to the North American style of play, which is faster and more physical than what he was used to in Europe. During his time with the Prince Albert Raiders, he became one of the league’s top players. His standout performances included scoring goals, setting up his teammates with assists, and showing leadership on and off the ice. In his second season, he scored 38 goals and added 67 assists for a total of 105 points in just 64 games.
NHL Career
Leon’s impressive play in junior hockey led to him being drafted 3rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2014 NHL Draft. This was a huge achievement, as being drafted so high meant that teams believed he could become a star player in the NHL.
Leon made his NHL debut with the Oilers in the 2014-2015 season. Like most young players, he faced challenges as he adjusted to the speed and skill level of the NHL. However, he showed flashes of brilliance that hinted at the player he would soon become.
Over the next few seasons, Leon continued to develop and improve. He became one of the Oilers’ top players and formed a dynamic partnership with Connor McDavid, who is considered one of the best players in the world. Together, they led the Oilers to the playoffs multiple times.
Leon’s best season came in 2019-2020 when he won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer with 110 points in just 71 games. He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player (MVP) and the Ted Lindsay Award, which is given to the most outstanding player as voted by the players themselves. This was a remarkable achievement, especially for a player from Germany, a country not traditionally known for producing NHL stars.
As of 2024, Leon Draisaitl remains one of the NHL’s top players and a key figure for the Edmonton Oilers. His scoring ability, vision on the ice, and leadership continue to make him one of the most valuable players in the league.
Personal Life
Leon Draisaitl is not only known for his achievements on the ice but also for his humble and grounded personality off the ice. He is a private person and doesn’t share much about his personal life in the media. However, it is known that Leon is close to his family, and his father Peter has been a significant influence on his career. Leon often credits his father for helping him develop into the player he is today.
Leon is fluent in both German and English, which has helped him adapt to life in North America. Despite living in Canada for much of the year, he still returns to Germany during the offseason to visit family and friends.
In terms of hobbies, Leon enjoys playing golf and spending time outdoors. He also participates in charitable activities, especially those that involve helping young hockey players in Germany. Leon wants to give back to the sport that has given him so much and hopes to inspire the next generation of German hockey players.
Achievements
Leon Draisaitl has achieved a lot in his career so far, both individually and as part of his team. Some of his most notable achievements include:
- Art Ross Trophy (2020): Awarded to the NHL’s leading scorer during the regular season.
- Hart Memorial Trophy (2020): Given to the most valuable player (MVP) in the NHL.
- Ted Lindsay Award (2020): Awarded to the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted by the players.
- NHL All-Star: Leon has been selected to the NHL All-Star Game multiple times, showcasing his status as one of the league’s top players.
- Multiple 100-Point Seasons: Leon has scored over 100 points in multiple seasons, a benchmark of excellence in the NHL.
- German Ice Hockey Player of the Year: Leon has been recognized as the best ice hockey player in Germany several times, underlining his status as the top player from his country.
Leon Draisaitl’s Net Worth
As one of the top players in the NHL, Leon Draisaitl has earned a significant amount of money through his playing contracts, endorsements, and other business ventures. As of 2024, Leon Draisaitl’s estimated net worth is around $75 million.
NHL Contracts
A large portion of Leon’s net worth comes from his NHL contracts. In 2017, he signed an 8-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers worth $68 million. This contract pays him an average annual salary of $8.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. His salary is well-deserved, given his consistent performance as one of the NHL’s top players.
Endorsements
In addition to his salary, Leon also earns money through endorsements. He has partnered with several companies, including sports equipment brands and other businesses that want to associate with his success and image. These endorsement deals add millions of dollars to his income each year.
Other Ventures
Leon has also invested in various business ventures, though he keeps these private. Many athletes invest their money in areas like real estate, stocks, or startups, and it’s likely that Leon has made similar investments to grow his wealth.
Legacy and Future
Leon Draisaitl is still in the prime of his career, and there is no doubt that he will continue to achieve great things in the NHL. He is already considered one of the best players in the world and is likely to be remembered as one of the greatest German hockey players of all time.
Leon’s journey from Germany to the top of the NHL is inspiring for young athletes, especially those from countries where hockey is not the most popular sport. His success shows that with talent, hard work, and determination, it is possible to achieve great things, no matter where you come from.
As Leon continues his career, he will likely break more records and add to his list of achievements. He is also set to earn more money, both through his NHL salary and other ventures. His legacy is already strong, but by the time he retires, Leon Draisaitl could be remembered as one of the greatest hockey players of his generation.
