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Leon Draisaitl Gifts 29 Hockey Sets to Cologne’s U9 Players

He tapped the NHLPA’s Goals and Dreams program to supply U9 players in Cologne with gear to honor the support that shaped his career.

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Deutschlands Eishockey-Superstar Leon Draisaitl

Overview

  • Draisaitl donated 29 complete equipment sets to his former club Kölner Haie’s U9 teams, matching his Edmonton Oilers jersey number, through the NHLPA’s Goals and Dreams initiative.
  • The 29-year-old returned to his hometown three weeks after losing a second straight Stanley Cup final to the Florida Panthers.
  • He called the visit to his childhood rink “very emotional” and spoke of giving back to the club that launched his professional journey.
  • Draisaitl reaffirmed his long-standing goal to boost ice hockey’s profile in Germany, where the sport vies with football for young talent and fan support.
  • With a USD 14 million annual salary starting in September, he plans to use his influence to invest in youth development and grow the game domestically.