“This is something that I’ve always dreamed of": Leon Draisaitl sets winning tone for Olympics, looks forward to carrying his father's legacy

Leon Draisaitl is coming to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 with a strong statement. He is saying that the outlook for the Tournament for Men’s Ice Hockey by the German Team is not that low. They are not coming to Italy intending to participate. Germany is expecting more than the odds are built for.Still basking in the glory of being the flagbearer of the German team at the Opening Ceremony, Leon Draisaitl, however, recognized the task at hand, though he had no intention of sitting it out quietly, as the team, expected to fight it out with Canada and the USA for the gold, takes to the floor against Denmark on Thursday in the opening game.The Germans draw their strength from past achievements. To exemplify this, Germany earned their historic silver award at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. The Germans secured their second-ever medal in men's hockey. Although they did this without participating NHL players, Leon Draisaitl feels that hockey in Germany has continued to grow and deserves some prestige in the major sports field. Draisaitl also comes with expectations. While the 30-year-old forward is fresh off another phenomenal season in the NHL and just recorded his 1,000-point milestone for Germany, becoming just the first German skater to achieve this feat, Draisaitl himself says his focus is on contributing to his country in any way he can.“This is something that I’ve always dreamed of being a part of and I feel very fortunate and lucky to do that,” Draisaitl told TSN.Besides that, the Olympic experience has a personal dimension beyond the games themselves. Draisaitl is reunited with his lifelong friends, such as his childhood friend Frederik Tiffels. There is an emotional aspect to the games as Draisaitl participates with his nation and players he considers family, thus increasing his enthusiasm and the sense of pride he feels by wearing the German jersey.Draisaitl's father, Peter Draisaitl, competed for Germany in three Olympic Winter Games between 1988 and 1998. It is a continuation of a history that has been in the making for years. Draisaitl states that competing on the Olympic ice is a childhood dream inspired by things at home.As the team begins its journey, its expectations may be tempered by the viewpoints of the outside world. Inside their locker room, however, their philosophy of life is clearly defined as compete hard, believe hard, and show the world the evolution of the game of hockey in Germany.