When the Olympic flame lights up Milano Cortina 2026, Leon Draisaitl could be front and center, leading Team Germany into the opening ceremony as one of the country’s flag bearers. And if that happens, it wouldn’t just be a symbolic moment-it would be a powerful statement about how far German hockey has come, and just how much Draisaitl means to the sport back home.
There’s no question Draisaitl is the face of German hockey. He’s already cemented his legacy as the greatest German-born NHL player of all time, and in 2020, he became the first hockey player to be named Germany’s Sportsman of the Year. That kind of recognition doesn’t come easy-it’s earned through years of elite performance, leadership, and representing your country with pride on the world stage.
Now, he’s one of three finalists to carry the German flag in the opening ceremony, a role that combines prestige with national pride. The German Olympic Sports Confederation is set to select one male and one female athlete to share the honor, and Draisaitl is in the mix alongside two Olympic legends: skier Johannes Rydzek and luger Tobias Wendl.
This is stiff competition. Rydzek has a full Olympic hardware collection-two golds, a silver, and a bronze-while Wendl is one of the most decorated lugers in history with six Olympic golds.
Draisaitl, meanwhile, is chasing his first Olympic medal. But what he brings to the table is different.
He’s not just a star in his sport-he’s a global ambassador for German hockey, and arguably the most internationally recognized German athlete heading to these Games.
The female finalist pool includes standout snowboarder Ramona Hofmeister, Olympic bobsled champion Laura Nolte, and ski jumper Katharina Schmid. Germany has a strong tradition of sharing the flag-bearing spotlight, as they did in Beijing 2022 with speed skater Claudia Pechstein and bobsledder Francesco Friedrich.
Fan voting is now open, and while Draisaitl’s popularity in Germany is undeniable, don’t be surprised if he gets a major push from fans in Edmonton, too. The Alberta capital has embraced him as one of their own, and Oilers faithful have never been shy about showing up in support of their stars.
If Draisaitl is chosen, he’d be the first hockey player to carry Germany’s flag at the Winter Olympics in nearly a century. The last to do it?
Martin Schröttle, way back in 1932 at Lake Placid. That’s a 94-year drought that Draisaitl has a real shot at ending.
As for the tournament itself, Germany’s hockey team is shaping up to be a serious contender. With Draisaitl leading the charge, the roster features a strong NHL core that includes Tim Stützle, JJ Peterka, and Moritz Seider. Add in Oilers prospect Joshua Samanski-who just made his NHL debut-and this is a group with both skill and upside.
Whether or not Draisaitl ends up carrying the flag, this Olympic run is shaping up to be a defining chapter in his career. He’s already a superstar in the NHL, but the Olympics offer a different kind of stage-one where national pride and legacy intersect.
And if he ends up leading his country into the Games, it’ll be more than a photo op. It’ll be a moment that captures just how far he’s come-and how much further he might take German hockey.