Leon Draisaitl took center stage as the flagbearer for Germany during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday in Milan. The Edmonton Oilers center earned this honor ahead of the games as part of the NHL’s return to Olympic ice hockey, highlighting his status as one of the sport’s top stars.
Flagbearer Selection Process and Competition
Draisaitl shared the flag-bearing duties with ski jumper Katharina Schmid after both were chosen through a combined vote of German athletes and the public. The German Olympic Committee revealed that more than 135,000 people participated in the voting process. This rare distinction for a first-time Olympian marked a moment of pride for the star forward.
Among the contenders for the male flagbearer role were Tobias Wendl, a decorated luger with six Olympic golds since 2014, and Johannes Rydzek, a Nordic combined skier headed to his fifth Olympics with two gold medals from 2018. The committee cited factors such as athletic success and role modeling fairness as key criteria for the selection.
Events Surrounding the Opening Ceremony
While Draisaitl carried the flag at Milan’s main event, Schmid represented Germany in Predazzo, one of several host cities that included Livigno and Cortina d’Ampezzo where additional ceremonies and athlete parades took place. Schmid herself has an accomplished Olympic career, entering her fourth games after earning silver medals in both 2018 and 2022.
Draisaitl’s Rise and Olympic Prospects
When the NHL last competed in the Winter Olympics in 2014, Draisaitl was just 18 and playing junior hockey in Canada. His breakthrough came when he was drafted by the Oilers later that year. He rose quickly to NHL stardom, capturing the MVP award in the 2019-20 season and leading the league in scoring with 110 points. Last season, he was the top goal scorer and, alongside teammate Connor McDavid, propelled Edmonton to a consecutive Stanley Cup Final.
As Team Germany faces a challenging group including the U.S., many anticipate that Draisaitl’s leadership and skill could push the team beyond expectations in this Olympic tournament.
Significance of Draisaitl’s Role at the Games
Serving as Germany’s Olympic flagbearer places Draisaitl in a unique spotlight that not only honors his individual achievements but also symbolizes Germany’s hopes in ice hockey during the Milan Cortina games. His participation marks a milestone as the NHL re-engages with the Olympics after years of absence, spotlighting a new generation of talent on an international stage.
