Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, NHLPA Goals & Dreams to donate 58 sets of gear to youth hockey in Germany

One of the best players in the game is giving back to his hometown.

On Tuesday, the NHL Players’ Association announced that Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl has partnered with NHLPA Goals & Dreams to donate 29 full sets of hockey equipment to the Kölner Haie youth teams, based out of Cologne, Germany, for the next two seasons.

Draisaitl admits that he knows the importance of giving back to where it all began for him, helping the “Junghaie” program.

“It feels great to return to where it all started. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I received growing up in Cologne, Germany,” Draisaitl said in a release. “I hope this equipment contribution with NHLPA Goals & Dreams to the Junghaie helps the next generation fall in love with the game and build a strong future for our sport.”

The 29-year-old superstar returned to his hometown to deliver the news to 29 local players.

Managing Director, Sport of the Junghaie, Rodion Pauels, stated that it’s great to have support for the growth of hockey from one of the nation’s top athletes.

“Leon is a Cologne boy,” Pauels said. “We have, of course, followed his great development intensively over the years and are very grateful to him and the NHLPA for this generous donation to our junior department. The children had a wonderful day that they will certainly not forget in a hurry.”

The Junghaie is the only minor or junior hockey program in the city of Cologne, with an approximate membership of 300 players aged 4-20 years old. The donation of new gear helps “tens of thousands of deserving children with the opportunity to play the world’s greatest game: hockey.”

There are also efforts to utilize sponsorship, donations, and public funding to reduce fees in order to give more children the opportunity to play the game. The equipment donation will make it easier for young kids to get into hockey.

“Bringing together Leon Draisaitl with NHLPA Goals & Dreams to reach 29 young hockey players in his hometown club of Cologne, this season and next, will help introduce more German youth to the greatest aspects of our game, including building community, skills and confidence,” NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh said. “The NHLPA Goals & Dreams program continues to make it possible for children to fully participate in hockey by providing increased access to equipment all around the world.”

Draisaitl, who just won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer, played for Kölner through his Under-16 year before joining the higher ranks of hockey. It led to him being picked up by the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, with the Edmonton Oilers picking him in the first round, third overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft.