Leon’s liking life as a pro

He got off to a slow start in the game but said he felt better with each shift which included power play time, as he adjusted to the fast flow of the game.

“Obviously the first couple of minutes is always a little hard to get into the game. I think as the game went on it got better and better for myself and as a line as well,” he said.

Draisaitl picked up the pace setting up several scoring chances with pinpoint passing at high speed. David Perron looked like he had a sure goal after a backdoor feed from Draisaitl but fanned on his shot with Blackhawk goalie Scott Darling scrambling to get into position.

The third-overall pick in the June NHL draft said the inclusion of veteran NHL players in preseason games has set the bar higher and made the challenge greater.

“Everyone knows it’s the NHL, that’s where everyone wants to be,” said Draisaitl. Last season’s top scorer for the Raiders expects the competition to get tougher with each game leading up to the regular season. “The level and the pace is getting faster and faster. It’s definitely noticeable, that’s for sure.”

Draisaitl has been in Edmonton since shortly after the NHL draft and felt the experience was beneficial.

“It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been training all summer, stayed in Edmonton basically the whole summer, I’ve been learning a lot, getting a lot stronger and faster, so far it’s been a pretty good time.”

Draisaitl said the Oilers experience is similar to his first training camp with the Raiders after being selected second overall in the 2012 CHL import draft. He said the big difference is he is interacting with professionals.

“They are all men. They are all stronger and faster and obviously the pace is way faster.”

The German import also said it was necessary to develop pro habits. “You have to take more care of your body. You have to pay attention to what you’re eating and to hydration and stuff like that. It’s a new thing for me but I think I’m adjusting pretty well to it.”

Although extremely busy with the on-and-off ice and media demands of being a prospective pro hockey player, Leon is keeping an eye on the Raiders with great interest and hopes the fans continue to support the team that gave him his North American start.

“Keep doing what you’re doing, I’ve had two great years there and the fans are tremendous. It’s a lot of fun and just keep doing what you’re doing (supporting the team).”

Draisaitl has one assist in two preseason games heading into Monday’s matchup against Raider captain Josh Morrissey and the Winnipeg Jets. Ironically, Morrissey got a penalty in their last head to head clash as pros. He was penalized for holding Draisaitl.

Draisaitl had an outstanding 2013-14 with 38 goals and 67 assists for 105 points in just 64 regular season games with career totals of 59 goals and 163 points in 128 games as a Raider. The six feet, two inch, 215 pound centreman also had a goal and three assists in seven games for his native Germany as one of the youngest players at the World Hockey Championships before the NHL draft.

His selection by Edmonton was no surprise. In addition to begin scouted extensively by the Oilers, they even had general manager Craig McTavish, his assistant and head scout Stu McGregor in Prince Albert altogether to watch Draisaitl go head-to-head against Kootenay’s Sam Reinhardt late last season at the Art Hauser Centre.

Draisaitl will be wearing his No. 55 Oilers jersey many more times before Edmonton brass makes a decision about him. He can play up to nine regular-season games before the team has to commit to the first full year of his three-year entry level contract. According to capgeek.com, the $3.4-million deal has an annual base salary of $925,000.

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: @RaidersVoice

by Drew Wilson

Leon’s liking life as a pro

Voice of the Raiders

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