Pittsburgh, Penn. – Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl became the first German-born player to reach 1,000 points when he registered a secondary assist on a goal by Zach Hyman in the Oilers 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old Draisaitl fed a seam pass to Connor McDavid during a first period power play. McDavid then found Hyman on the doorstep, who banged away to beat former Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner, giving Edmonton a 1-0 lead and Draisaitl the 1,000th point of his NHL career.
“A lot of hard work, a lot of people that help along the way,” Draisaitl told media following Tuesday’s win. “These accomplishments, they’re always directed at the single player, but there are so many people that play such a big part in that. I’m highly aware of the fact that I have a lot of people in my life over the last couple years who have kept a lot off my plate and let me do what I do and what I want to do. I’m super grateful, super thankful, and of course, a little bit proud.
“It was surely just a dream. Growing up in Germany, seems like it’s a long ways (in the past), obviously I am extremely proud of that, but I don’t want to underestimate how much work comes from the outside as well.”
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Draisaitl finished the night with four assists, surpassing the 1,000-point plateau in resounding fashion. Now in his 12th season with the Oilers, the product of Cologne, Germany, has tallied 1,003 points (416G-587A) in 824 career regular season games.
“What he’s done – and I’ve only been here a short period of time – regular season success, playoff success, he’s such a big-time player, scoring big-time goals,” said Kris Knoblauch, Head Coach of the Oilers, following Tuesday’s win. “He gets a lot of attention for a lot of things, whether it’s the goal scoring, the playmaking – I don’t think he gets enough credit for his defensive play. He’s a really remarkable player.”
Selected by the Oilers in the first round (third overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Draisaitl has been a powerhouse in Edmonton. During the 2019-20 season, he led the NHL in scoring and took home the Art Ross Trophy after a 110-point (43G-67A) campaign. That season, he was recognized with the Hart Trophy, presented annually to the NHL’s most valuable player, along with the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the NHL’s most valuable player as selected by members of the NHL Players Association.
Last season, Draisaitl took home the Maurice Richard Trophy after leading the NHL in goal scoring with 52 tallies. Though the Oilers came up empty-handed in the Stanley Cup Final for a second consecutive season, Draisaitl led the Stanley Cup Playoffs in scoring with 33 points (11G-22A) in 22 games.
The foundation for Draisaitl’s success was set in the WHL.
In 2013-14 as a member of the Prince Albert Raiders, Draisaitl was named to the WHL’s Eastern Conference First All-Star Team after collecting an impressive 105 points (38G-67A) in 64 games. That campaign helped his NHL Draft stock soar, and he was ultimately selected third overall by the Oilers in June of 2014.
After starting the 2014-15 season with the Oilers, Draisaitl was returned to the WHL in January, where his rights were traded from the Prince Albert Raiders to the Kelowna Rockets. Draisaitl ran roughshod over the WHL in his return, scoring 53 points (19G-34A) in 32 regular season games. He then posted 28 points (10G-18A) in 19 WHL playoff games, leading the Rockets to a WHL Championship and earning WHL Playoff MVP honours.
Though the Rockets fell short at the 2014 Memorial Cup, Draisaitl remained a force, tallying seven points (4G-3A) in five games and earning the Stafford Smythe Trophy as Memorial Cup MVP.
Selected by the Raiders in the first round (second overall) of the 2012 CHL Import Draft, Draisaitl notched 216 points (78G-138A) in 160 career WHL regular season games split between Prince Albert and Kelowna, adding another 37 points (11G-26A) in 28 WHL playoff games.
Aside from his NHL success, Draisaitl has represented Germany on numerous occasions at the IIHF World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship.
WHL Alumni to Reach 1,000 NHL Points, All-Time
Draisaitl, Leon (Edmonton Oilers) – December 16, 2025, at Pittsburgh (6-4 W)
Getzlaf, Ryan (Anaheim Ducks) – November 16, 2021, vs Washington (3-2 W)
Marleau, Patrick (San Jose Sharks) – November 21, 2015, at Pittsburgh (3-1 W)
Hossa, Marian (Chicago Blackhawks) – October 30, 2014, at Ottawa (5-4 W)
Whitney, Ray (Phoenix Coyotes) – March 31, 2012, vs Anaheim (4-0 W)
Iginla, Jarome (Calgary Flames) – April 1, 2011, at St. Louis (3-2 W)
Modano, Mike (Dallas Stars) – November 15, 2002, vs Colorado (4-2 W)
Fleury, Theoren (New York Rangers) – October 29, 2001, vs Dallas (4-2 W)
Recchi, Mark (Philadelphia Flyers) – March 13, 2001, vs St. Louis (5-2 W)
Sakic, Joe (Colorado Avalanche) – December 27, 1999, vs St. Louis (5-1 W)
Propp, Brian (Hartford Whalers) – March 19, 1994, at Philadelphia (5-3 W)
Anderson, Glenn (Toronto Maple Leafs) – February 22, 1993, at Vancouver (8-1 W)
Messier, Mark (Edmonton Oilers) – January 13, 1991, at Philadelphia (5-3 W)
McDonald, Lanny (Calgary Flames) – March 7, 1989, vs Winnipeg (9-5 W)
Federko, Bernie (St. Louis Blues) – March 19, 1988, vs. Hartford (5-3 L)
Trottier, Bryan (New York Islanders) – January 29, 1985, vs Minnesota (4-4 T)
Clarke, Bobby (Philadelphia Flyers) – March 19, 1981, vs Boston (5-3 W)
