An injury didn’t stop German ice hockey player Leon Draisaitl from playing the playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers. Only now did the full extent become known.
Germany’s ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl played all quarter and semi-final games in the play-offs of the North American professional league NHL for the Edmonton Oilers despite a syndesmosis tear in his right ankle. Corresponding media reports confirmed General Manager Ken Holland on Wednesday. The Canadians failed 4-0 at the Colorado Avalanche in the best-of-seven series on Tuesday night and missed the final.
“He played with a lot of pain,” said Holland: “He couldn’t train and only play in the games, but he had 32 points.” It was “incredible” at what level Draisaitl played, “with what he went through”. According to Holland, Draisaitl does not need an operation.
Seven goals and 25 assists
In a total of 16 play-off games, Draisaitl scored seven goals and provided 25 assists. The striker had not shed any real light into the darkness even after being eliminated. “I’m sure you can see in the video what kind of injury it is,” said the man from Cologne.
Draisaitl tore the syndesmosis in game six of the round of 16 duel with the Los Angeles Kings.