Draisaitl inspires Cologne's young sharks with a generous donation of equipment!

Draisaitl inspires Cologne's young sharks with a generous donation of equipment!

A very special day for the young players of the Kölner Haie: Leon Draisaitl, who is now a star in the NHL, visited the young sharks in the Cologne Arena and not only brought memories but also gifts. The Edmonton Oilers player handed over 29 complete sets of new hockey equipment donated by the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) as part of the Goals & Dreams program. A gesture that shows how strongly Draisaitl is connected to his homeland and how important it is to him to support the next generation, as NHL reports.

Draisaitl, who played for the Junghaie for over six years, spent an afternoon with 29 young talents in the training center. There was great enthusiasm as he signed jerseys, caps and scarves. Managing Director Sport of the Junghaie, Rodion Pauels, thanked them warmly for the donation and emphasized that the children had had unforgettable experiences that day. “We are very grateful for this support,” said Pauels.

A look back at the career

During his visit, Draisaitl also spoke about his past seasons, in which he lost to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final with the Edmonton Oilers, and his expectations for the upcoming Olympic participation in Milan in 2024. The Cologne native, who signed an impressive eight-year contract worth 112 million euros with the Oilers, plans to end his career in his hometown and has expressed the desire to play for the young sharks again at some point, reported koeln0221.

Draisaitl not only shows sporting successes on the ice, such as the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and the Hart Trophy, but also a big heart for the young ice hockey players, as the generous donation to the Junghaie proves. This is part of the NHLPA's Goals & Dreams program, which promotes access to hockey equipment worldwide. This program has provided over $26 million to grassroots hockey programs in 44 countries since its inception in 1999.

A look into the future

A total of 29 complete sets of ice hockey equipment will be donated to the young sharks for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 seasons. A number that not only symbolically represents Draisaitl's jersey number, but also specifically supports the young talent. The Junghaie currently have around 300 members, whose enthusiasm for the sport is further encouraged by such valuable support. The “Hockey is Diversity e.V.” project, which promotes diversity and inclusiveness in ice hockey, has also been supported with almost 50 sets of equipment over the last three seasons.

The mix of talented players and committed supporters ensures that ice hockey in Cologne remains alive and continues to develop. Draisaitl personally made it clear how important the support he received in his youth in Cologne was to him. By returning to the place where it all began, he is setting a strong example for future generations.