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Leon Draisaitl named captain of Germany Olympic hockey team

Originally posted on The Oil Rig | By Karim Kurji | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 4:54 PM ET

Edmonton Oilers star, Leon Draisaitl, has been named captain of Germany’s Olympic hockey team. Draisaitl has played a huge role in Germany’s overall Olympic contingent being a flagbearer for the country in the opening ceremonies.

Now, he’ll serve as a leader on the best international German hockey team of all time.

Leon Draisaitl has been named captain of the German men’s hockey team at #MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/YT8H6lqbtD
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 9, 2026

Not a slam dunk pick

For Oilers fans, this pick seems like it would be obvious. However, that’s not actually the case.

Germany’s international hockey team has been captained by Moritz Muller since 2018. He has a storied history with German hockey, playing 22 seasons with the Cologne Sharks in the DEL (Germany’s top men’s league), and has played for Germany at three Olympics. The 39-year-old veteran would have been an easy pick to captain the team once again in what is likely his last Olympics.

However, this choice officially represents a passing of the torch in German hockey. The old guard is handing the reins to the new, and Draisaitl is the perfect choice.

A stacked leadership group

German hockey is in the best state it has ever been in history. This year’s Olympic team features a slew of high-performing NHLers, and they will not be an easy out in the tournament.

Joining Draisaitl as alternate captains are Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators, and Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings.

This article first appeared on The Oil Rig and was syndicated with permission.

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