It’s been 12 years since NHLers last participated in the Winter Olympics, and many are representing their home countries for the first time in the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. Each nation has finalized its 25-player roster, and nine of Germany’s 25 players are signed to an NHL team. Here are three NHL players representing Germany to keep an eye on throughout the tournament.
Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers
The biggest name on Team Germany is the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl.
With 78 points (27 goals and 51 assists) in 53 games this season, Draisaitl ranks fifth in the NHL in points, while three of the four players above him will be competing for Team Canada, including teammate Connor McDavid. While he won’t be playing with McDavid, the pair could face off against one another in the medal round, provided both teams make it there.
On Dec. 16, Draisaitl became the first German-born player to reach 1,000 points in the NHL. He was also one of the first six players named to Germany’s Olympic team. There will be a lot of pressure to perform for his country, who have not won an Olympic medal since 2018. Draisaitl has represented Germany many times throughout his career, but these are his first Olympic Games.
Moritz Seider
Of the eight defensemen on Team Germany, only one is currently playing in the NHL. Moritz Seider, 24, is in his fifth season in the league, all with the Detroit Red Wings, who drafted him sixth overall in 2019. This season, he has 37 points in 56 games.
Seider is good at both ends of the ice and is averaging 25:32 of ice time per game, the most of his career. He is also getting close to a career-high in penalty minutes, with 43 already this season. His highest was 51 minutes in 2023-24. Let’s hope when he gets to the Olympics, he stays on the ice and isn’t in the box as much.
Like Draisaitl, Seider was one of the first six players named to Germany’s Olympic team. He has also represented his country throughout his career, most recently at the 2025 World Championship, but these are his first Olympic Games.
Philipp Grubauer
The Seattle Kraken’s Philipp Grubauer was also one of the first six players selected to Team Germany on June 15, despite a tough 2024-25 season. However, he has proven himself this season.
Related: Kraken’s Philipp Grubauer Has Redeemed Himself this Season
Last season, Grubauer had an 8-17-1 record through 26 games and a save percentage (SV%) of .875, the lowest of his NHL career. This season, he has an 11-5-3 record through 18 starts (21 games) with a SV% of .919, his highest since joining the Kraken.
After the Kraken made Joey Daccord their starter last season, Grubauer changed their minds, and this season the two goalies have worked in tandem. The extra ice time he has earned has not only prepared him to help his NHL team but to represent Germany at the Olympics, as well.
Although Grubauer has never played in the Olympics, he helped Germany qualify for the 2018 Olympics by defeating Latvia in the qualifying tournament. Most recently, he represented his nation at the 2024 World Championship.
Germany’s First Match
Team Germany will play their first game on Feb. 12 against Denmark at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. For those on the East Coast, this game will begin at 3:10 PM. The men’s hockey tournament will run from Feb. 11 to Feb. 22.
