Leon Draisaitl, the Edmonton Oilers' star center, has been named one of Germany's flag bearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan, Italy. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday. This marks a significant honor for Draisaitl, especially as it's his first time participating in the Olympic Games.
Draisaitl will share the flag-bearing duties with ski jumper Katharina Schmid. Both athletes secured their roles through a vote that included German athletes and the public, with over 135,000 people participating. The German Olympic Committee stated that Draisaitl was shortlisted based on his history of sporting success and his reputation as a role model for fairness in sports.
Draisaitl expressed his gratitude to fans and members of the German Olympic team for selecting him as a flag bearer. He acknowledged the honor and expressed his excitement for the upcoming games in Italy.
While this will be Draisaitl's first appearance at the Olympic level, he is no stranger to representing Germany in international competitions. He has played in five World Championships, amassing 27 points in 33 games, and has participated in various junior national team events. Draisaitl also competed in the World Cup of Hockey, where he scored two goals in six games for Team Europe.
The Edmonton Oilers congratulated Draisaitl on Twitter, acknowledging the honor.
Draisaitl's selection as flag bearer is a recognition of his achievements in the NHL. The Cologne native has won the Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Rocket Richard Trophy, and Art Ross Trophy. He is also considered one of the best German hockey players. Draisaitl is currently under an eight-year, $112 million contract with the Oilers, earning approximately $14 million annually. This season, he has 27 goals and 51 assists in 54 games.
Germany's first game in the Olympic men's hockey tournament is scheduled for February 12 against Denmark. They will also face Latvia and the United States in the round-robin stage. The qualification round begins on February 17, with the tournament concluding on February 22.
Draisaitl's selection as flag bearer highlights his impact on the sport and his importance as a symbol of German athletics as the NHL returns to the Winter Olympics.