Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is set to be honoured in a special ceremony this Saturday, a celebration of a monumental career milestone. The German superstar recently joined an exclusive club within the storied franchise, becoming just the fifth player in Oilers history to record 1,000 career points.
A Journey Forged Through Adversity
This moment stands in stark contrast to the beginning of his NHL journey. Drafted third overall in 2014, Draisaitl's rookie season was a struggle, managing only nine points. Now, over a decade later, he reflects on those challenging early days with candid honesty. "There were a lot of nights my first year when I came home and thought 'I don't know if I can play in this league,'" Draisaitl admitted. "It's so hard. The game is different from juniors, you're not as strong, not as fast as you need to be."
That period of self-doubt fueled an incredible transformation. Through blood, sweat, and relentless self-reflection, Draisaitl dedicated himself to improvement. "I just had to become a better player in every facet," he stated. His commitment paid off, propelling him to be recognized today as one of the best half-dozen players in the world.
Joining the Oilers' Pantheon of Legends
Draisaitl officially hit the 1,000-point mark on December 17, 2025, in Pittsburgh. The historic point was an assist on a goal by Zach Hyman, scored against former Oiler goaltender Stu Skinner. As of the upcoming ceremony, his point total sits at 1,017 points in 834 games for Edmonton.
This achievement places him in legendary company. He now stands alongside Wayne Gretzky (1,669 points), Connor McDavid (1,159), Jari Kurri (1,043), and Mark Messier (1,034) as the only Oilers to reach the four-digit plateau. Based on his current pace, Draisaitl is projected to pass both Kurri and Messier on the franchise scoring list before the end of the current season.
Memorable Firsts and Lasting Bonds
Draisaitl's remarkable journey is bookended by memorable moments. His very first NHL point was an assist on a goal by defenceman Mark Fayne against the Arizona Coyotes on October 15, 2014. His first goal came just nine days later, a game-winner against Carolina Hurricanes goalie Anton Khudobin, courtesy of a feed from David Perron. "Special moments, your first point, first goal, just because they're both so new," Draisaitl recalled, noting he certainly never imagined "that I'd get 999 more."
Now 30 years old, Draisaitl emphasizes that this milestone is not just an individual accomplishment. He credits the unwavering support of family, friends, and teammates throughout his 11-year career. He expressed pride in sharing this era of Oilers hockey with core teammates like Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (approaching 1,000 games played), and Darnell Nurse. "It's special to be part of all of this. They've been here for it all," he said.
The pre-game ceremony on Saturday night, before the Oilers face the Los Angeles Kings, will be a tribute to a player who turned early uncertainty into undeniable excellence, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever wear the Oilers crest.
