EDMONTON, AB - Germany's reigning sportsman of the year is Beijing bound.
The German hockey federation announced Friday the first three players on their roster for the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, with Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl leading the charge.
Draisaitl, who took the prestigious Sportler des Jahres honour in 2020 following his 2019-20 league MVP season, will be joined by Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer and Detroit Red Wings defenceman Moritz Seider on the German squad that is coming off a silver-medal performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
The 25-year-old is the second Oilers player to be confirmed as an Olympian this week, as Connor McDavid was announced as one of the first three players selected for the Canadian roster.
The Edmonton teammates will face off against one another in their opening game in Beijing, with Germany and Canada clashing in Group A action on Thursday, Feb. 10.
Draisaitl has competed for Germany at five IIHF World Championship tournaments, as well as two World Juniors and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey as a member of Team Europe.
BLOG: Draisaitl named to Germany's Olympic team
Oilers forward joins Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer and Detroit defenceman Moritz Seider as first three players selected
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