Draisaitl does his part for charity
Oilers centre follows lead of McDavid in commitment to Edmonton causes
It’s a big picture version of the old give-and-go play.
Like Connor McDavid with his US$12.5 million salary per season over eight years, Leon Draisaitl is about to begin collecting his US$8.5 million per season over the same span.
And much like the Edmonton Oilers captain who stepped out before training camp with a commitment of time and money to the Jumpstart program, Draisaitl has stepped up with his own commitment.
It was announced Tuesday he’ll give to the tune of $150,000 a year to an impactful Edmonton organization, with a 50 per cent matching donation by the Oilers Community Foundation to up it to $225,000 a year over the eight years of his contract.
Draisaitl talked about the commitment when he signed the deal last year.
“For me, there was never even a thought to go anywhere else or to even think about going anywhere else. You look at options, but for me, personally, I just want to be with this group as long as possible,” said the German national player who played his junior hockey in Canada with Prince Albert of the WHL.
Monday he expanded that goodwill to include the community and he put his money where his mouth is.
There are a lot of good things happening here with the core players embracing the place where they play, which is reminiscent of another team from another era.
“I want to give back to the Edmonton community because it has given me so much. It’s important to me to support youth learning about how to give back and be active in the community to have a positive impact,” Draisaitl said.
“It’s just important to me, spending a lot of years of my life in this city. It’s important for me now to build a connection and build something special with this community. I talked about it with my agent, Mike Liut, and he said we should do something that lasts. We thought about it and came up with this program and I couldn’t be happier with it.”
Draisaitl said he’s discovered the essence of Edmonton in the sense of community and volunteerism and all the things people talk about. But he says it’s extra special when you wear the uniform of the Oilers.
“From the perception of just being a hockey player, there’s the love that people have for you and people caring so much about how you do. They want you to do well. They want the team to do well. Edmonton is just such a tight community that cares about its sports and especially the Oilers, I think. And it’s just really fun to be part of.”
Draisaitl, along with Liut, came up with the idea to put the $225,000 to a different charity every year. He said he chose the WE and Hockey Helps Kids programs because of what he witnessed as captain of the
I want to give back to the Edmonton community because it has given me so much.
D.S. MacKenzie School for the Hockey Helps Kids program last year.
“I saw the effect. The students were so dedicated to their cause. They were inspiring,” he said.
Draisaitl is about to embark on an inspiring journey of his own as the Oilers depart Saturday to play against the Kolner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, coached by his dad Peter in his hometown of Cologne.
“It’s awesome. It’s a one-time thing. I don’t think this will likely ever happen to me again. I was there all summer and they’re really excited and they can’t wait. For them, it’s a special day as well.”
From Cologne, Draisaitl and the Oilers will proceed to Gothenburg, Sweden to play the New Jersey Devils as they raise the curtain on their 40th NHL regular season. He says he’s as driven as anybody to have a bounce-back season.
Two seasons ago, Draisaitl was the eighth top point producer in the NHL with 77 points, including 29 goals. The third overall pick in the 2014 draft, Draisaitl’s numbers dropped to 25 goals and 70 points last season.
Not a dramatic drop in one way, but his salary suggests he has to be higher.
“Leon is a proud, proud man,” said coach Todd McLellan, who has him slotted to be the team’s second line centre as the modern day Mark Messier to McDavid’s Wayne Gretzky.
“He’s come back lighter. He’s skating better. I’m not sure he was completely satisfied with his season last year. He’s only played one game but through training camp he’s been one of our better players.”
Draisaitl is ready for the season to start.
“The determination in this group is incredible right now. You can tell everyone is ready to go, that everyone is excited this season. We’re all just looking to get back to where we were two years ago and I think we’re capable of doing that.”
If Draisaitl thinks he feels the love from the city now, he’s going to feel it a lot more if the team does that.