Leon Draisaitl Named Captain of Team Germany Ahead of Olympic Hockey Campaign
Leon Draisaitl has worn a lot of hats in his career - NHL superstar, Hart Trophy winner, cornerstone of the Edmonton Oilers - but now he adds another to the collection: captain of Team Germany.
The announcement came Monday, as Germany gears up for the Olympic men’s hockey tournament. For Draisaitl, this isn’t just a title - it’s a full-circle moment, a chance to lead his country on the sport’s biggest international stage.
And make no mistake, this German squad isn’t just showing up to participate. They’re here to contend.
Before he even laced up the skates, Draisaitl had already made headlines in Milan-Cortina. The German Olympic Committee selected him as one of the country’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremonies, walking alongside ski jumper Katharina Schmid. It was a proud moment for the 28-year-old, who carried the black, red, and gold with the kind of presence you'd expect from a player who’s become one of the NHL’s elite.
Germany has been quietly building a reputation as a Winter Olympics powerhouse. They finished third in total medals at the 2022 Games and second in 2018 - and yes, that run in PyeongChang included a silver medal in men’s hockey, where they took Olympic Athletes from Russia to the brink in the gold medal game. This year, Draisaitl will try to help push them one step further.
Joining him in the leadership group are Moritz Seider and Tim Stützle, two of the brightest young stars in the NHL, both named assistant captains. It’s a trio that represents the best of German hockey’s past, present, and future - and arguably, the most talented core the national team has ever had.
This marks Draisaitl’s first time representing Germany since 2019, when he last suited up in the IIHF World Championship. He’s no stranger to international play, having competed in five World Championships (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019), but the Olympics are a different beast - and this is his first crack at them.
He won’t be alone from the Oilers locker room, either. Josh Samanski, his Edmonton teammate, is also making his Olympic debut for Germany. Rounding out the roster are familiar faces like Dominik Kahun and Tobias Rieder, both of whom had stints with the Oilers in the past.
Germany’s group-stage matchups will be no walk in the park. They open against Denmark on Thursday, followed by a tough early-morning clash with Latvia on Saturday, and then a marquee showdown with the United States on Sunday. It’s a tricky group, but this German team has the firepower - and now the leadership - to make some serious noise.
Meanwhile, Draisaitl’s NHL running mate Connor McDavid will be wearing the “A” for Team Canada. He’s already skating on a line with Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson, a combination that’s sure to draw plenty of attention. Canada’s group includes Czechia, Switzerland, and France, with group play beginning Thursday against Czechia.
But for now, the spotlight is on Draisaitl - the captain, the flagbearer, the face of German hockey. He’s already done just about everything there is to do in the NHL. Now, he’s chasing Olympic gold.