Leon Draisaitl did not strengthen the German ice hockey team at the World Cup, but was rooting for Canada from afar. “Definitely a tournament for the history books,” he said after the final.
Also NHL-Top star Leon Draisaitl is enthusiastic about the historic silver medal of the German national ice hockey team.
“Incredible. Definitely a tournament for the history books. I’m really happy for the boys”, said the 27-year-old striker Edmonton Oilers on dpa request for the first German World Cup final in ice hockey since 1930. “It was a really great week for German ice hockey: silver medal, Olympic qualification and World Cup award. More is not really possible”, said Draisaitl.
“What a great success”
In the 5-2 final in Tampere, Finland, against his adopted country Canada, he was rooting for the German team in front of the television. The final was open until the final third. “It’s a pity that it wasn’t quite enough in the exciting, close final”said Draisaitl, who is currently considered one of the best ice hockey players in the world: “But what a great achievement it is to win the silver medal. It was really fun to watch. In the knockout games the lads did really well against really good teams.”
Specification exceeded
Without Draisaitl and without NHL goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer and NHL attacker Tim Stützle as well as several other veterans and top performers, German ice hockey celebrated its first World Cup medal in 70 years. Under national coach Harold Kreis, the team impressed with will and passion, but also with class. By reaching the final, the national team exceeded the target of the association at Kreis’s World Cup debut and also managed to qualify directly for the 2026 Olympics. Another happy customer was that Germany was awarded the contract to host the 2027 World Cup.
“I am sure that the national team has provided many new ice hockey fans in the last few days”, said Draisaitl. Even during the preliminary round and before the quarter-final qualification, it was rumored that Draisaitl and Grubauer would travel to the World Cup after being eliminated in the NHL playoffs. However, due to the tight schedule, the players and the German Ice Hockey Federation decided against it.