Leon Draisaitl’s rise to captain of Team Germany for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics feels bigger than a routine leadership change. While the move feels logical given his status, an NHL insider says there’s a deeper meaning behind the decision, calling it a true “passing of the torch” for German hockey.
A New Era Begins for Team Germany
Draisaitl was officially named Germany’s captain on Monday, and while the decision makes sense on paper, an NHL insider says the story runs deeper than star power alone.
According to Mark Spector, “This choice isn’t as obvious it may seem. 39 YO Moritz Muller has 22 seasons with the Cologne Sharks, has played in 3 Olympics and captained Team Germany since 2018. This marks the passing of a torch in German hockey.”
Before Draisaitl, Müller had been the face of German leadership for years. The 39-year-old Frankfurt native led Germany to silver at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and again at the 2023 World Championship. He also skated at the 2005 World Junior Championship and appeared in 12 World Championships overall, all while spending his entire professional career in Germany’s top league with Köln.
Now, that responsibility shifts to Draisaitl, Germany’s most accomplished NHL export. The Edmonton Oilers star is already an alternate captain at the NHL level and stands as the highest-scoring German-born player in league history, with 1,036 points (428 goals, 608 assists) in 845 games.
Milano Cortina will also mark Draisaitl’s first Olympic appearance, adding another layer of significance to the moment. He’ll do more than lead on the ice; Draisaitl was also named one of Germany’s flag bearers for the Opening Ceremony, alongside ski jumper Katharina Schmid.
Teammates Voice Their Support
Inside the locker room, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Defenseman Moritz Seider didn’t mince words when asked about the decision. “As he should be (the captain),” Seider said. “He’s a top-five player in the world right now. If anyone doesn’t know him, you’re doing something wrong in the hockey world.”
Tim Stützle echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Draisaitl’s impact beyond statistics. “He’s a huge role model, especially in Germany, but even in Canada and the NHL,” Stützle said. “Everybody loves him. I’m really happy for him, he really deserves it.”
Seider and Stützle were both named alternate captains, forming a leadership core that blends experience with the next generation of German stars.
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Germany, slotted into Group C, will open its Olympic tournament against Denmark on Thursday.
