In a significant honor for one of hockey's brightest stars, Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl has been chosen to carry the German flag at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The prestigious selection names Draisaitl as one of Germany's flagbearers for the Milan Cortina 2026 opening ceremony, scheduled to commence on February 6, 2026.
A Symbolic Recognition for NHL Excellence
This appointment serves as a powerful acknowledgment of Draisaitl's status as one of the National Hockey League's premier talents, coinciding with the league's much-anticipated return to Olympic competition. The German Olympic committee emphasized that their criteria for selecting a flagbearer included a proven history of sporting achievement and the embodiment of fairness in sports, qualities Draisaitl exemplifies.
Draisaitl's Professional Profile and Background
Leon Draisaitl, who maintains his primary residence in Cologne, Germany, with a secondary home in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is under an eight-year contract with the Oilers valued at $112 million. This agreement positions him among the league's highest-paid athletes, with an annual salary approximating $14 million. His on-ice performance this season further underscores his elite status, with 27 goals and 51 assists recorded across 54 games for the Oilers.
The Selection Process and Competition
The path to this honor involved a rigorous selection process. Draisaitl emerged victorious from an internal poll of German athletes and a public vote that attracted over 135,000 participants, as confirmed by the German Olympic Committee. He will share flag-bearing duties with ski jumper Katharina Schmid during the ceremony.
In the male flagbearer category, Draisaitl faced formidable opponents, including Tobias Wendl, a six-time Olympic gold medalist in luge since 2014, and Nordic combined skier Johannes Rydzek, a veteran of five Olympics with two gold medals from 2018.
Reactions and Olympic Schedule
The Edmonton Oilers publicly celebrated Draisaitl's achievement on social media, posting a congratulatory message that highlighted the pride felt by the organization. For Draisaitl, this marks his inaugural Olympic appearance, adding a layer of personal milestone to the national honor.
Looking ahead to the Games, the Olympic men's hockey tournament is set to begin on February 11, 2026, with Germany's first match against Denmark scheduled for February 12. The Oilers will conclude their pre-Olympic preparations with a game against the Calgary Flames, ensuring Draisaitl enters the international stage in peak competitive form.
