Leon Draisaitl sends 29 mysterious boxes a year to his former team — the reason is actually heartwarming
. The Oilers superstar is now donating 29 full sets of hockey gear every year through 2026–27 to his youth team back in Cologne, Germany.
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That's not just a number, it's his jersey number.
And it's his way of giving 29 young dreamers a fighting chance each season.
From Junghaie to NHL stardom: Leon Draisaitl's journey comes full circle
Leon grew up playing for Kölner Haie's youth team, the Junghaie, long before the bright lights of Edmonton. It's where his stick first met the ice and where his dream began.
Now, through a collaboration with the NHLPA Goals & Dreams program, he's making sure other kids from Cologne have the same opportunity he did without worrying about how they'll afford skates, pads, or helmets.
Every year, 29 players will get:
Full sets of sticks, skates, pads, and helmets
Training gear that matches what pros use
The confidence that someone like Leon Draisaitl believes in them
Draisaitl said it best:
'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.'
It's not just charity, it's personal.
Why it matters for Germany's hockey future
Germany isn't traditionally seen as a hockey powerhouse. But stars like Draisaitl are changing that narrative. And moves like this? They make sure the pipeline keeps flowing.
By fueling the dreams of 58 kids over two seasons, Draisaitl is planting the seeds of what could be the next big German hockey wave. He's not just giving them gear, he's giving them belief.
Leon Draisaitl might be an NHL MVP candidate. But in Cologne? He's already a legend and now, a mentor. And for 29 kids each season, he's the reason they can chase the exact same dream.
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