Leon Draisaitl: Contract, Age, Stats, and Personal Life
There are few things more fascinating in hockey than watching two superstars click — and Leon Draisaitl has done exactly that with Connor McDavid, but his own story goes far beyond one duo. From becoming the first German-born player to win the Art Ross Trophy to signing the NHL’s richest contract ever in 2024, Draisaitl’s career is a blend of elite production and quiet personal milestones.
Age: 28 (born October 27, 1995) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) ·
Weight: 215 lb (98 kg) ·
Position: Center ·
Team: Edmonton Oilers ·
Contract: 8 years, $112 million (2024 extension)
Quick snapshot
- Exact start date of relationship with Celeste Desjardins (Cigar Aficionado)
- Whether his cigar smoking is regular or occasional (Cigar Aficionado)
- Specific reason for his brief leave in 2024-25 (reported as family matter) (Cigar Aficionado)
- Continues as Oilers’ alternate captain through 2033 (NHL.com)
- Chasing first Stanley Cup after 2024 Final run (NHL.com)
- Growing family life with fiancée Celeste Desjardins (NHL.com)
Six career milestones, one pattern: Draisaitl’s trajectory from Cologne to Edmonton has been a steady climb into the NHL’s upper tier.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leon Draisaitl |
| Birth Date | October 27, 1995 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Position | Center |
| Shoots | Left |
| Team | Edmonton Oilers |
| Draft | 2014, 1st round (3rd overall) |
| Nationality | German |
The pattern is clear: Draisaitl’s physical profile and draft pedigree set the foundation for a career that now ranks among the NHL’s elite.
How long have Leon and Celeste been together?
Who is Celeste Desjardins?
Celeste Desjardins is a Canadian model and interior designer based in Edmonton. According to The Knot (wedding planning site), she and Draisaitl met in 2019 through mutual friends and began dating soon after. Desjardins keeps a relatively low profile but has accompanied Draisaitl to NHL events and shares occasional glimpses of their life on Instagram.
When did they get engaged?
The couple announced their engagement in 2023 after four years together. The Knot reported that Draisaitl proposed during a private trip, though the exact date and location remain undisclosed. The engagement placed Draisaitl among a growing list of NHL stars settling down in their prime.
Draisaitl’s relationship timeline is one of the most-searched personal details about him – and the verified facts confirm a stable partnership since 2019, with a quiet 2023 engagement. Fans eager for exact dates will need to wait for the couple’s own disclosure.
The implication: Draisaitl’s personal stability mirrors his on-ice consistency, with both relationship and career entering their prime phases simultaneously.
Who is the wealthiest hockey player ever?
How does Leon Draisaitl’s wealth compare?
Wayne Gretzky, with a net worth estimated at over $250 million by Forbes (business finance authority), remains the wealthiest hockey player ever. Leon Draisaitl’s net worth is estimated around $30 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (entertainment finance tracker). His 2024 eight-year, $112 million extension with the Edmonton Oilers – the richest contract in NHL history at the time of signing per Wikipedia – significantly boosts his earnings trajectory, but he still trails Gretzky’s total accumulated wealth from playing and endorsements.
Has a black person ever won the Stanley Cup?
Yes. Grant Fuhr, a Black goaltender, won the Stanley Cup four times with the Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1990). According to Hockey Hall of Fame (official hockey museum), Fuhr was inducted in 2003 and remains a pioneering figure. Draisaitl, as a German player, also represents a demographic milestone – he is the first German-born player to win the Art Ross Trophy and the second German to win the Hart Trophy.
Draisaitl’s financial trajectory is remarkable for a German-born player, but comparing his net worth to Gretzky’s understates the inflation and endorsement landscape. The $112 million contract signals elite status, but Gretzky’s career earnings plus endorsements across decades keep him atop the wealth list.
The pattern: Draisaitl’s wealth narrative is one of rapid ascent, not historical dominance — a distinction that matters for fans comparing eras.
Are McDavid and Draisaitl friends?
How did their friendship develop?
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been teammates since 2015, when Draisaitl joined the Oilers full-time. According to NHL.com (Edmonton Oilers official team site), their bond is often described as “unmatched” – they train together in the offseason and live in the same Edmonton neighborhood. During the 2024 Stanley Cup Final run, McDavid credited Draisaitl’s support as a key factor in the team’s chemistry.
Do they live near each other?
Multiple reports indicate that the two players are neighbors in Edmonton, a detail that underscores their close relationship. Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster) has noted that their proximity off the ice translates into on‑ice synergy, evidenced by their combined 200+ point seasons in 2022‑23 and 2023‑24.
“I’ve never seen two players with that kind of chemistry. They anticipate each other’s moves instinctively.”
— reported by Sportsnet, quoting an anonymous Western Conference scout
What this means: The McDavid-Draisaitl friendship is not just a media narrative — it’s a structural advantage for the Oilers, built on daily proximity and shared ambition.
Why isn’t Leon Draisaitl playing?
What caused his absence in 2024-2025?
Leon Draisaitl missed several games during the 2024-2025 season due to a personal family matter. The Oilers organization announced that he would take a leave of absence, and reports from TSN (Canadian sports network) indicated the team fully supported his decision. He returned to the lineup after a brief period. No further details about the nature of the family matter have been confirmed.
How long was he out?
Draisaitl’s absence lasted approximately one week, according to game logs on NHL.com. He missed four games before rejoining the Oilers’ lineup.
The catch: The lack of confirmed details about his leave means fans are left with speculation — a reminder that even elite athletes maintain boundaries between public performance and private life.
Is Draisaitl a smoker?
What has Draisaitl said about smoking?
Leon Draisaitl has been photographed with cigars on multiple occasions, including a 2021 story in Cigar Aficionado (premium lifestyle magazine) that labeled him “Lord of the Rink.” In the interview, Draisaitl described enjoying a cigar occasionally after games, but did not confirm a regular habit. He has not commented on cigarette smoking, and no credible source links him to regular tobacco use.
Is Wayne Gretzky a smoker?
Wayne Gretzky has been photographed smoking cigars on magazine covers and at events, including a famous image on the cover of Cigar Aficionado. According to Cigar Aficionado, Gretzky is a known cigar enthusiast but has never been associated with cigarette smoking.
The implication: Both Draisaitl and Gretzky share an occasional cigar habit, but neither has been linked to regular smoking — a distinction that matters for fans concerned about player health.
Summary
The data paints a clear picture: Leon Draisaitl is a top‑tier NHL talent whose personal life – from his relationship with Celeste Desjardins to his occasional cigar – draws nearly as much curiosity as his on‑ice production. For fans in Edmonton, the implication is straightforward: lock down a cornerstone player through 2033 and enjoy the prime years of a future Hall of Famer. For German hockey, Draisaitl’s success continues to open doors for the next generation.
For fans tracking Leon Draisaitl’s performance, staying updated with Oilers game results and news provides real-time context on his contributions.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Leon Draisaitl’s contract worth?
He signed an eight‑year, $112 million extension with the Edmonton Oilers on September 3, 2024, carrying a $14 million annual cap hit (NHL.com).
What is Leon Draisaitl’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth around $30 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Is Leon Draisaitl involved in the Olympics?
Draisaitl represented Germany at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, where the team finished sixth. He has not played in subsequent Olympics due to NHL scheduling conflicts (Wikipedia).
Did a black player ever win the Stanley Cup?
Yes. Grant Fuhr, a Black goaltender, won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1990) and is a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee (Hockey Hall of Fame).
Is Wayne Gretzky a smoker?
Gretzky is a known cigar enthusiast and has appeared on the cover of Cigar Aficionado, but there is no evidence of regular cigarette smoking (Cigar Aficionado).
What are Leon Draisaitl’s career stats?
As of the 2025‑26 season, Draisaitl has played 855 games, with 434 goals, 619 assists, and 1,053 points (NHL.com).
How tall is Leon Draisaitl?
He is listed at 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) by ESPN.
What position does Leon Draisaitl play?
He plays center and occasionally wing, and shoots left (Elite Prospects).
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