08-07-2025
Draisaitl donates 29 ice hockey kits to boyhood Cologne club
Ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl, player for the Edmonton Oilers in the US National Hockey League, talks to young players in the training hall of the Cologne Sharks. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl is donating 29 sets of equipment to his boyhood club Cologne for youngsters to use both this season and next.
The number corresponds to his jersey number at the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, who lost the Stanley Cup to Florida Panthers last month.
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The Cologne-born player visited the training centre of the Haie (Sharks) on Tuesday.
"It's very emotional for me to return to where it all began," the 29-year-old told reporters.
"Without the support I received as a young player in Cologne, I wouldn't be where I am today – I want to give a little bit of that back."
In his German hometown, Draisaitl is rarely recognized on the street despite being a big star in North America.
"I've always aimed to advance ice hockey in Germany – even though it's tough against soccer," he joked.
