Leon, first of all congratulations on the record.
Thank you. That makes me proud. But you can't do something like this alone. The praise also goes to my teammates. Ice hockey is a team sport. It wouldn't be possible without the strong performances of those around me.
At just 21 years old, you are already the highest-scoring German player of all time. What does this record mean for you personally?
In a way, it is a confirmation of hard work over the last few years. But I don't take myself too seriously. It's all about us winning games. If I can do my part, even better.
After all, you have overtaken your current national coach. You probably already had that in mind.
To be honest, only recently. I didn't give it much thought at the start of the season. In the last few weeks, people around me have pointed out to me that I can equal or exceed his record. But it's not like I thought about it every day.
Has Marco Sturm contacted you yet?
No, not yet. Maybe he's mad at me now (laughs). Seriously: We are in constant contact anyway, he will definitely get in touch again soon.
Then you could tease him in the next conversation...
(laughs). I could do that, sure. Marco Sturm and Jochen Hecht have achieved outstanding performances in the NHL for their clubs in their careers. And that for years. I wouldn't want to compare myself with either of them. I still have a long way to go. But I like the challenge, I accept it and want to constantly improve.
With the Oilers they are almost certainly in the playoffs.
That would be gigantic not just for the city, but for the whole country. Last season, for the first time in 46 years, no Canadian team reached the playoffs. It's as if no German football club was represented in any European competition. Canada is the motherland of ice hockey. This sport is a religion here. Even more so than football in Germany.
The home World Cup in Cologne in May would probably be canceled for you if you and your team go far.
This is difficult for me. Playing playoffs with the Oilers in this country is a dream, that's the ultimate feeling. On the other hand, I would really like to play for my country in my hometown of Cologne. Two hearts beat in my chest. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but if we and the Oilers are eliminated early, I'll be the first one on the plane to Germany.
In addition to you, other German NHL players, apart from Tobias Rieder, could also reach the playoffs. What's in it for Germany without the NHL reinforcements?
We are on the right track in German ice hockey. Marco Sturm is doing a fantastic job. But we must not forget that we are still a nation that is still developing. We must always think from game to game and give our all in every game. There are a lot of talented players in Germany. In front of the fantastic Fans At home in Cologne I have a lot of confidence in the boys. It is important that the Fans We also have our backs when things don't go well.