WINNIPEG, MB - The Deutschland Dangler is the National Hockey League's all-time leading German national scorer.
Leon Draisaitl collected a goal and assist in a 6-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday to surpass former San Jose Sharks forward Marco Sturm and become the top German point producer in NHL history with 488 in 468 games.
"It's a big honour," Draisaitl told the media post-game. "We've had a lot of great hockey players coming out of Germany. To lead that list is pretty special to me. I take pride in that."
Draisaitl, Sturm and Jochen Hecht are the only German nationals to notch 400 points or more in the NHL. Draisaitl also tops all German skaters with 296 assists but trails Sturm by 52 goals for the all-time lead in that department.
"Sturmy, Christen Ehrhoff, (Marcel) Goc, those are the guys I looked up to," Draisaitl added. "Originally, I just wanted to play in Germany. That was my first goal. We have some really, really good hockey players in Germany and have more coming."
Oilers Captain Connor McDavid congratulated his teammate on the feat during his media availability, commenting on the significance of the achievement.
"What he's done in this League even at a young age is pretty amazing," McDavid said. "To think that he's already the leading scorer in German hockey history is pretty special. Leon is a very well-respected player in this League and highly regarded as one of the best players in the world. The future for German hockey is pretty bright."
BLOG: Draisaitl becomes all-time leading German scorer
Oilers forward passes Marco Sturm in all-time scoring by a German national skater with 488 points in 468 games
