Leon Draisaitl supports his youth club

Ice hockey professional Leon Draisaitl is donating 29 pieces of equipment for the young players of his youth club, the Kölner Haie, for this and the next season.

July 08, 2025

From: dpa

The number corresponds to his jersey number with the NHL club Edmonton Oilers. The Cologne native, one of many supporters of the North American Hockey Players' Association (NHLPA)'s "Goals and Dreams" charity project, embodied the goals and dreams of the young U9 players during his visit to the Cologne Sharks' training center. The 29-year-old briefly told the children about his career so far.

"It's very emotional for me to return to where it all began," Draisaitl said in a media briefing afterward. "Without the support I received as a young player in Cologne, I wouldn't be where I am today – I want to give a little bit back."

“It’s very emotional for me”

Draisaitl also described his success and support of young talent as a fight for the popularity of his sport. "I always had the goal of advancing ice hockey in Germany – even if it's difficult against football." In his hometown, Draisaitl is rarely recognized on the street.

Three weeks after Edmonton's loss in the NHL Finals against the Florida Panthers, Draisaitl stepped into an ice rink for the first time in Cologne. "The last time I was in an ice rink, it wasn't such a good feeling," he joked. "But I have to admit that Florida was better and deserved to win."

Draisaitl was born in Cologne in 1995 and learned to play ice hockey at the Cologne Ice Hockey Club. At 14, he joined the Mannheim Adler and at 19, he joined the Edmonton Oilers. With the Canadian NHL team, he lost two consecutive Stanley Cup finals. With an annual salary of $14 million, Draisaitl is one of the highest-paid ice hockey professionals in the world.

Keywords hockey Leon draisaitl