Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Leon Draisaitl

Discover the career path of Leon Draisaitl, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Leon Draisaitl is a German professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL. Acknowledged as one of the league's best players, Draisaitl achieved several milestones, including becoming the first German player to win the Art Ross Trophy (2020), Hart Memorial Trophy (2020), and Ted Lindsay Award (2020). He also captured the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 2025 as the NHL's top goal scorer. He was also the runner-up for the Art Ross Trophy in 2021 and the Rocket Richard in both 2019 and 2022.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: First Oiler since Craig Simpson to Score 50 Goals

In April 2019, Leon Draisaitl became the first Oiler since Craig Simpson in 1987–88 to score at least 50 goals in a season.

1990: First Oiler since 1990 with Six Straight Multi-Point Games

In March 2017, Leon Draisaitl was the first Oiler since 1990 to achieve a streak of six straight multi-point games.

2006: Oilers' last Conference Final Appearance

In 2006, the Oilers last advanced to the Western Conference Final before their appearance in the 2022 playoffs.

2006: Stanley Cup Finals Appearance

In the 2024 playoffs, Draisaitl helped the Oilers clinch their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2006.

2011: Player of the Year in German Development League

During the 2011 season, Leon Draisaitl recorded 21 goals and 56 points in 35 games for Jungadler Mannheim and was named the German Development League's Player of the Year.

2012: Selected in the CHL Import Draft

Following his Player of the Year season in the German Development League, in 2012, Leon Draisaitl was selected second overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

2013: World Junior Championships

In 2013, Draisaitl played for the German junior team in the World Junior Championships.

August 2014: Signed Entry-Level Contract with Edmonton Oilers

On 12 August 2014, Leon Draisaitl signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

2014: German Senior Team Roster

In 2014, Draisaitl was named to the German senior team roster for the World Championship.

2014: World Junior Championships and Suspension

In 2014, Leon Draisaitl served as team captain for the German junior team in the World Junior Championships. During the tournament, he was ejected from a game against the United States and later suspended.

2014: Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers

In 2014, Leon Draisaitl was drafted third overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL entry draft.

January 2015: Returned to Prince Albert Raiders

On 4 January 2015, Leon Draisaitl was returned to the Prince Albert Raiders after playing 37 games for the Oilers.

July 2015: Avoiding Free Agency

The move to return Leon Draisaitl to the Prince Albert Raiders in January 2015 was partly to prevent him from moving one year closer to free agency, which would have happened in July 2015 had he played more than 40 NHL games.

2015: WHL Championship and Memorial Cup MVP

In 2015, Leon Draisaitl was traded to the Kelowna Rockets, helped them win the WHL Championship, and was named playoff MVP. He also won the Stafford Smythe Trophy as Memorial Cup MVP, despite the Rockets losing the Memorial Cup final.

2015: Playing for the Oilers

In the 2015-16 season, Leon Draisaitl was playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

April 2016: Last NHL Goal at Rexall Place

On 6 April 2016, during the last Oilers game at Rexall Place, Leon Draisaitl scored the last NHL goal to be scored there in a 6–2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

2016: Success for Draisaitl and the Oilers

The 2016–17 season marked a period of significant success for both Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers.

March 2017: Six Straight Multi-Point Games

On 23 March 2017, Leon Draisaitl became the first Oiler player since 1990 to have six straight multi-point games.

August 2017: Signed Contract Extension with Oilers

On 16 August 2017, Leon Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers.

2018: World Championship Participation

In 2018, Leon Draisaitl played in the World Championship for the German national team.

April 2019: 50 Goals and 100 Points Season

On 6 April 2019, Leon Draisaitl became the sixth Oiler to score at least 50 goals in a season and the ninth to score at least 100 points, finishing with 55 assists and 105 points.

2019: Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy Runner-Up

In 2019, Leon Draisaitl was the runner-up for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.

2019: Improved Performance and Alternate Captaincy

The 2019–20 season saw further improvements for Leon Draisaitl, as he eclipsed teammate McDavid in point production and was named alternate captain.

March 2020: Premature End to Regular Season and Art Ross Trophy

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prematurely ended the regular season, with Leon Draisaitl securing the Art Ross Trophy after notching 43 goals and a league-leading 67 assists for 110 points in 71 games.

2020: Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award Winner

In 2020, Leon Draisaitl became the first German player to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading point scorer, the Hart Memorial Trophy as the regular season MVP, and the Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player.

January 2021: Six Assist Game

On 31 January 2021, Leon Draisaitl recorded six assists in the 8–5 win against the Ottawa Senators.

2021: Art Ross Trophy Runner-Up

In 2021, Leon Draisaitl was the Art Ross Trophy runner-up.

2021: Oilers' season start and Draisaitl's performance

In 2021, the Oilers had a franchise-best 9–1 record at the start of the season, and Leon Draisaitl, along with McDavid, reached 20 points within the first 10 games. Draisaitl scored 20 goals in his first 19 games and lead the league in goal-scoring for much of the year. Additionally, in 2021, Draisaitl became the first NHL player to sign with Puma.

2022: Playoff run with ankle sprain

In 2022, Draisaitl hit the 50-goal mark for the second time and reached 100 points for the third time. He set a team record for power play goals. Draisaitl sustained a high ankle sprain during the playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings but continued to play, helping the Oilers advance. He set a playoff record against the Calgary Flames and became the fourth fastest player in NHL history to record 50 playoff points. The Oilers reached the Western Conference Final but were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche.

2022: Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy Runner-Up

In 2022, Leon Draisaitl was also the runner-up for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.

April 2024: 500th NHL Assist and Playoff Performance

On April 5, 2024, Leon Draisaitl recorded his 500th NHL assist on a Connor McDavid goal in a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. In the 2024 playoffs, Draisaitl helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2006, but they were defeated by the Florida Panthers.

September 2024: Contract Extension with the Oilers

On September 3, 2024, Leon Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $112 million contract extension with the Oilers, with an annual salary of $14 million until the 2032-33 season, making it the richest contract in league history.