In a landmark moment for hockey, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl has etched his name into the history books by scoring his 1000th career point in the National Hockey League (NHL). The achievement, which came during a game on Wednesday, makes him the first-ever German-born player to reach the prestigious 1000-point milestone.
A Milestone Assist and a Special Opponent
The historic point was secured during the first period on a power play. With just over eight minutes left, Draisaitl delivered a precise pass from one faceoff circle to another, with longtime teammate Connor McDavid also involved in the play. McDavid then quickly found Zach Hyman in front of the net, who pushed the puck past the goaltender to score. The significance of the moment was amplified by the identity of the netminder: Stuart Skinner, a former teammate of Draisaitl's who had joined the Pittsburgh Penguins just four days prior.
This rare occurrence places Draisaitl in an exclusive club. According to NHL records, he is only the sixth player in league history to record his 1000th point against a goaltender who was once his teammate. The last player to do so was Henrik Sedin in 2017 against Roberto Luongo.
A Heartwarming Tribute from Home
Shortly after the achievement, Draisaitl's wife, Celeste Desjardins, shared a personal and emotional message celebrating her husband. On her Instagram story, she posted a video from her television capturing the moment and wrote, “1,001 points. U R AMAZING! So incredibly proud of you, today and every day. There is no one like you, my love. I love you.” She later shared the same video on her main Instagram handle, allowing fans to share in the family's joy.
Draisaitl's Humble Reaction and Lasting Legacy
When asked about the incredible feat, Draisaitl remained characteristically humble. He admitted that reaching 1000 points was never a specific goal he envisioned and was quick to credit his success to those around him. “Certainly that I don't get 999 more, I can tell you that for free,” Draisaitl joked. “But, you know, again, there's so many great teammates that I've been around, so many guys that know how to use my strength and use me, and I'm just very proud to be able to accomplish that.”
This milestone further cements Draisaitl's legacy not just in German hockey, but within the storied franchise of the Edmonton Oilers. He is now just the fifth player to reach 1000 points while playing for the Oilers, joining an elite group of franchise legends. His dynamic partnership with Connor McDavid continues to be one of the most formidable in the league, driving Edmonton's pursuit of success. This 1000-point moment stands as a powerful testament to his consistency, elite skill, and invaluable leadership on the ice.
