Leon Draisaitl eyes historic role as Germany's Olympic flag-bearer in 2026
Leon Draisaitl is in the running to carry Germany's flag at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Fans and athletes are now voting for their choice, with the winner set to be revealed on February 5. The Edmonton Oilers star has called the nomination a career highlight and a huge honour.
The public vote for Germany's flag-bearer remains open until February 3 on teamdeutschland.de. Fans hold 50% of the decision, with athletes making up the other half. Draisaitl, the NHL's highest-scoring German-born player with 1,030 points in 841 games, is one of the finalists for the role.
Before the Olympics, Draisaitl will finish club duties with the Oilers in a game against the Calgary Flames on February 4. Once the tournament begins, he could face his Oilers teammate, Connor McDavid, who will represent Canada.
Germany's men's hockey team, featuring seven NHL players including Draisaitl and Josh Archibald, kicks off its Olympic campaign on February 12 against Denmark. The squad sits in Group C alongside Latvia, the United States, and Denmark. Draisaitl has also spoken about his excitement to play with childhood friend Freddy Tiffels, another key member of the German roster.
The flag-bearer announcement will come just days before Germany's Olympic opener. Draisaitl's potential selection would mark a historic moment for German hockey, showcasing the country's growing presence in the sport. The team's first match against Denmark will test their readiness for a tough group-stage challenge.
