DEB-Sports director Christian Künast and national coach Toni Söderholm have informed the three NHL players Leon Draisaitl, Philipp Grubauer and Moritz Seider that they will be part of the men's national team squad for the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
All participating teams at the Winter Games in China were asked by the IIHF, the NHL and the NHLPA to submit a list of three NHL players who would be safe to play in Beijing (subject to the usual reasons for not being able to do so). On October 15, 2021, all participating nations will also submit a “long list” with all other eligible players to the IIHF. The final squads will be announced in January 2022.
Leon Draisaitl also confirmed his exceptional role in the NHL last season. In a total of 60 games for the Edmonton Oilers, the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2019/20 season scored a strong 89 points, placing him in second place in the NHL top scorer rankings. In 2020, the 25-year-old was named Germany's Athlete of the Year.
Philipp Grubauer is playing for the new NHL franchise Seattle Kraken this season. Last season, the German goalie had a strong season in the Colorado Avalanche jersey. In 40 main round games, the 29-year-old achieved a goals conceded average of 1,95 and one Fangrate of 92,2 percent. Grubauer was therefore one of the finalists for the Vezina Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the league.
Moritz Seider is about to start his first NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings. He spent the last season with the Rögle BK team and was voted the best rookie in the Swedish professional league SHL. The 20-year-old then crowned his season performance with the award as the best World Cup defender at the 2021 IIHF World Championships in Riga.
While the trio has already celebrated World Cup appearances in the jersey of the German national team, Leon Draisaitl as well as Philipp Grubauer and Moritz Seider are each about to take part in their first Olympics.