Exclusive interview with the German shooting star about the NHL season and his World Cup plans

What do NHL superstars like Sydney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Rick Nash, Anze Kopitar, Ryan Getzlaf and the legendary Jaromir Jagr have in common? Sure, they are all highly acclaimed top players in North America and enjoy a high status among them Fans. But a 20-year-old player from Germany is putting these exceptional players in the shade: Leon Draisaitl. The Cologne native is “rocking” the best professional ice hockey league in the world this season. After just 19 appearances for the Edmonton Oilers, the German national striker has a whopping 22 points scorer (9 goals and 13 assists). Just yesterday in the 4-3 overtime win against the San José Sharks he contributed a goal and an assist to the decisive goal in overtime. Things could hardly be going better for the exceptional German talent at the moment.

In the following exclusive interview, the Cologne shooting star not only talks about the current season with the Oilers, but also about the big disappointment at the start of the season, the fight back into the team, his current role in the team and his plans to play at the 2016 World Cup St. Petersburg and later to play for the German national team at the Olympic qualification in Latvia.

Leon, first of all congratulations. Last night was a 4-3 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks. It was your fourth win in a row. You scored a goal yourself and prepared Taylor Hall's decisive goal in an exemplary manner. How did you see the game?
Yes thank you. It was totally fun. In the first part Both teams didn't really get into the game yet, but after that it went up and down. Above all, that Fans pushed us. It's always fun to play in front of such a backdrop. It's great that Tyler Hall scored the decisive goal. He ran really well. But we are all most happy for our coach Todd McLellan, who was with the Sharks for seven years and for whom it was his first game against his old team.

You now have 22 scorer points after just 19 appearances, you are one of the stars of the Oilers and are causing a sensation in the NHL. Would you have imagined that before the season?
My goal was always to play in the NHL and especially to make it to the Oilers. Of course you also hope to have a start like this. You have to believe in yourself and that you can do it. But of course you can never expect something like that. That's why I'm very happy with how well things are going for me personally.

The start of the season was anything but what you wanted. How big was the disappointment when you were sent to the farm team in Bakersfield shortly before the start of the season?
I have to admit, it was a huge disappointment because I was so focused on the Oilers all summer and worked so hard. When you hear shortly before the start that you have to 'go down', it's extremely bitter. But looking back, it was good for me. This step helped me in some ways and that is the most important thing.

Do you digest a decision like this quickly or do you chew on it for a longer time because you are so disappointed? Or simply: Now especially!
I think it's a little of both. To be completely honest, it took me a few days to digest it. But then I thought to myself: You just have to work harder now.

How and when did you find out that you were supposed to return to Edmonton?
The evening before my first game against the Montreal Canadiens, I was told that I had to fly back to Edmonton the next morning, the day of the game.

Your NHL debut this year couldn't have gone better. Two goals in the first game in a 4:3 win over the Canadiens, plus the game winner - what was that feeling like?
It was a very cool feeling and of course a perfect start for me personally. The fact that we won was even better.

Since then, things have been going like clockwork for you. How do you explain your strong performances?
I think I have the trust of the coach now and that gives you the necessary self-confidence. That helps a lot.

Did you always play with the same people next to you or did you always have to find your way around different positions?
In the first few games I played on the wing with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall. Because Connor McDavid is injured, I switched back to my usual position as center forward. I still play with Taylor Hall. Every now and then we played with another right winger, but mostly it's Teddy Purcell.

The opponents can now also see that your line scores regularly. Will your opponents now attack you more harshly because of your success?
(laughs). Oh, yes, definitely. We always play against the best lines of the opposing teams. Of course, that makes it much more difficult for us. But on the other hand it is also a very good challenge for our line and myself.

Things are going great for you at the moment. But in the NHL you have to perform every day, otherwise you can quickly end up back on the farm team. Do you waste a thought on the fact that it could happen again at some point?
No, not actually. The important thing is that you have the necessary self-confidence and that kind of thing helps a lot.

How do your friends and acquaintances react to your successes?
They are very happy for me. After games I get a lot of messages from home in Germany.

Speaking of Germany: Do you actually follow the DEL?
Yes, sure. I also watch the games from time to time when I have the time. I always watch the highlights – of all the games! Above all, I follow what my best friends Dominik Tiffels and Dominik Kahun are doing Hamburg or Munich. I'm really pleased that they're both having such a strong season so far. We have a lot of contact with each other.

You have already played together in the U20: you were missing last year because you were not given clearance. The World Cup starts in Vienna on Sunday. The goal is direct promotion. You will certainly be very curious to see how your ex-team fares, right?
Yes definitely. This is my old team and we had a great time with the U20s. There's still a little bit of heart attached to it. I really hope that they manage to get promoted straight back. That would be very important for German ice hockey. I'll keep my fingers crossed from here.

What does Leon actually do so privately when he doesn't have to train or play?
Oh, that's very different. Sometimes it's enough for me to be at home and relax. We play a lot and travel a lot. Sometimes I meet up with my guys from the team and we do something together. Depending on how much time there is.

Canada isn't exactly a big football nation. But you're probably still finding out about the Bundesliga in Edmonton, right?
Why, surely. As a “Kölsche Jung” I always look at what’s going on at 1. FC Köln and how they play. However, it is also Bayern my club. I actually always have the two clubs in focus.

Let's come to the national team: Marco Sturm is the new national coach, the German selection has just got him Deutschland Cup won. Are you following the development?
Of course I looked very closely because I wanted to stay informed about the current state of affairs and what was going on. The season started with the victory Deutschland Cup Yes, it worked brilliantly, I was very happy for the boys and hope that it continues like this in the future.

Assuming the Edmonton Oilers miss the playoffs: Will you take part in the World Cup in Russia for Germany?
Of course, that's still a long way off for me and a little early to think about. First of all, I want the greatest possible success with the Oilers. That's where the focus is. But if nothing comes up, I would of course like to represent my country, of course.

The Olympic qualification in Latvia is also scheduled for early September. All NHL players can take part. How important is this tournament for you?
It is incredibly important for us, for all of German ice hockey. We really want to qualify and that's why every game will be extremely important. It would be amazing if we could take part in the Olympic Games again.

Leon, thank you for your time. There are a lot of NHL players in GermanyFans, who also closely follow the path of the German players. Another word to them Fans in conclusion?
Gladly. Of course I would like to greet the numerous ice hockeyFans all over Germany here from distant Edmonton. I'm happy when the German fans also look over at us and are interested in the NHL. Then I use this opportunity directly, everyone Fans We would like to wish you a wonderful Advent and Christmas season.