Leon Draisaitl Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know

Quick Facts

Leon Draisaitl is a professional German ice hockey player who plies his trade with the Edmonton Oilers. Having developed passion for ice hockey at a tender age, and holding on to the dream of becoming a professional player like his father, he decided to join the U18 development league side Jungadler Manheim at the age of 16 for the 2011-2012 season.

His story changed the following year after he was selected through a CHL import draft to represent a Canadian junior ice hockey side; the rest can be considered as history, for he has risen to unimaginable heights. Read along to know more about Leon Draisaitl.

Leon Draisaitl Biography

Leon Draisaitl was born on October 27, 1995, in Cologne, Germany, to his parents Peter Draisaitl (Father) and Sandra Draisaitl (Mother). His father Peter was a professional ice hockey center and former head coach of EiShockey Liga side, Cologne Sharks. Not much is known about the early childhood of Leon Draisaitl, nor his early educational background except the fact that he spent literally most of his life in Cologne where he was raised by his parents alongside his sister Kim Draisaitl.

Although he started playing hockey from a tender age, it’s highly important to note that he made his professional ice hockey debut in the 2011-2012 season for the U18 German Development League side, Jungadler Manheim. That season Jungadler Manheim won the DNL championship which eventually led to him being crowned DNL player of the year as a result of his awesome performance throughout the course of the season. After the success he recorded with the Under 18 side, he was signed by Prince Albert Raiders following a CHL import draft.

His big break eventually came in August 2014, when he was signed by NHL side, Edmonton Oilers, to a three-year entry-level contract. He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2014, against Calgary Flames with him going on to score his first NHL goal against Anton Khudobin, the goaltender of Carolina Hurricanes.

After making about 37 appearances, bagging 2 goals and 4 assists, he was loaned back to the Junior Canadian side, Prince Albert Raiders to complete his development as a player. On the 5th of January 2015, he was traded to another junior ice hockey Canadian side, Kelowna Rockets. He had a very impressive season with Kelowna Rockets with him achieving a total of 28 points in 19 games, thereby leading the Rockets to clinch the WHL championship and bagging himself the personal honor of MVP for his outstanding performance throughout the season.

Upon the completion of the 2014-2015 ice-hockey season, he returned back to Edmonton Oilers where he became an integral member of the team. The following season, he broke a record by becoming the first Edmonton Oilers player in over 27 years to hit six straight multiple game points. Since his return to Oilers, he has been on a constant rise. In August 2017, he penned his signature to an eight-year contract extension worth about $68 million.

5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know

If you are a fan of ice hockey or a supporter of any NHL side, it’s inevitable that you will one day, be involved in a discussion about ice hockey superstar, Leon Draisaitl. Well, when you do, here are five facts you should take to mind.

1. He is one of the top earners in the National Hockey League and the second-highest-paid Oiler after Connor McDavid, with him earning a whopping $8.5 million per season. Judging by his contract, he is expected to keep receiving that amount for several years.

2. On the 23rd of March 2017, he scored a hat trick against the Ducks in a playoff, thereby becoming the youngest Oiler in the history of the NHL to score a hat trick in a playoff. It’s important to note that he was only 21 at the time.

3. Besides being a forward for the Edmonton Oilers, he has made several appearances for his country (Germany) at the international level in various competitions. Some of such competitions are the World Junior Championships (in 2013 and 2004) and IIHF World Championships (2014 and 2018).

4. Leon Draisaitl has developed a reputation over the years for his penchant at donating to several charity organizations. In 2018, he announced to the media his decision to donate $150,000 yearly to the official Foundation of the Oilers Community for the remaining years of his contract with the side.

5. The Edmonton Oilers’ offensive forward has a height of 6 feet 2 inches and a body mass of 101 Kg. His most attractive body features, however, is his light brown hair and his hazel eyes.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.