That is absolutely true, but the answer I always give is, “I saw his dad play.”
It is true, my interest in the Draisaitl family goes back to 1988 when Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics, and welcomed a team from West Germany.
West Germany
If you grew up in the 1980s, it is hard to believe the country is one Germany now. Back then, it had been divided into East and West Germany after they lost the Second World War. West Germany, which had been occupied by Great Britain, the United States, and France, was free and democratic. East Germany, which was occupied by the Soviet Union, was Communist and sealed off from the world by the Iron Curtain.
If you grew up in the 1980s, it is hard to believe the country is one Germany now. Back then, it had been divided into East and West Germany after they lost the Second World War. West Germany, which had been occupied by Great Britain, the United States, and France, was free and democratic. East Germany, which was occupied by the Soviet Union, was Communist and sealed off from the world by the Iron Curtain.
They were two distinct countries until their reunification in 1990. That meant they did everything separately, including send teams to the Winter and Summer Olympics.
The Calgary Olympics
It is also hard to believe it has been 35 years since Calgary welcomed the world for the 15th Winter Olympics. With all the talk of a new arena for Calgary, it is equally hard to believe the Saddledome was a state-of-the art facility built for the Olympics, then to become home to the Calgary Flames.
It is also hard to believe it has been 35 years since Calgary welcomed the world for the 15th Winter Olympics. With all the talk of a new arena for Calgary, it is equally hard to believe the Saddledome was a state-of-the art facility built for the Olympics, then to become home to the Calgary Flames.
It was at the Saddledome where Peter Draisaitl played as a member of the West German hockey team.
Prelude to the Olympics
Draisaitl started playing professional hockey in West Germany and had four seasons with Mannheimer ERC under his belt when he travelled to Calgary with the West German Olympic hockey team in 1988.
Draisaitl started playing professional hockey in West Germany and had four seasons with Mannheimer ERC under his belt when he travelled to Calgary with the West German Olympic hockey team in 1988.
It would be his first international tournament with the national team. In 1983 he appeared in five games at the European Junior Championship, recording three goals and an assist for four points. In 1984 he played in the World Junior Championship, playing in seven games and scoring three goals and adding two assists for five points.
Now, at the age of 22, he was set to take the stage in 1988 in the biggest international tournament of the year.
Olympic hockey
West Germany was in Group B with the vaunted Soviet team for the First Round. It was round robin where every team played each other. The Germans opened by defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1; then beat Norway 7-3; beat Austria 3-1; lost to the Soviet Union 6-3; and concluded with a 4-1 victory over the United States.
West Germany was in Group B with the vaunted Soviet team for the First Round. It was round robin where every team played each other. The Germans opened by defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1; then beat Norway 7-3; beat Austria 3-1; lost to the Soviet Union 6-3; and concluded with a 4-1 victory over the United States.
The results left West Germany in second place in Group B with eight points.
The Final Round was unique. The top three teams from each group advanced to the Final Round. The points from their own group would carry over, and they would play the three teams from the other pool.
West Germany therefore had a win over Czechoslovakia and a loss to the Soviets carry over.
They opened the Final Round play losing 8-0 to Finland. Two days later Canada hammered the West Germans 8-1.
Their hopes of a medal were gone. If they beat Sweden, the bronze medal would have gone to Canada because they would have four points and Canada had five. Obviously, if the West Germans lost, they were still out of the medals.
They did lose 3-2, giving Sweden the bronze. The West Germans finished fifth, ahead of Czechoslovakia on the strength of beating them in head to head play.
I recall that West Germany-Sweden game on Feb. 28, 1988. I was walking through the Main Kelsey lounge, and heard the guys cheering for West Germany to win, because it would give Canada the bronze.
Peter Draisaitl played in all eight games for West Germany, recording one assist.
International hockey
Peter Draisaitl would play for West Germany in the 1989 and 1990 World Hockey Championships. After reunification, he played for Germany in the 1992 and 1998 Olympic Games; in the 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997 and 1998 World Championships; and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.
Peter Draisaitl would play for West Germany in the 1989 and 1990 World Hockey Championships. After reunification, he played for Germany in the 1992 and 1998 Olympic Games; in the 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997 and 1998 World Championships; and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.
His international totals were 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 73 games.
Pro hockey and beyond
Draisaitl played professionally in Germany for Mannheimer ERC, Kolner Haie, ESC Moskitos Essen, and Revierlowen Oberhausen until the end of the 2000-2001 season.
Draisaitl played professionally in Germany for Mannheimer ERC, Kolner Haie, ESC Moskitos Essen, and Revierlowen Oberhausen until the end of the 2000-2001 season.
His career totals were 279 goals and 401 assists for 680 points.
After his playing career ended, he went into coaching and currently coaches in Germany with the Krefeld Pinguine.
On October 27, 1995, Peter’s son Leon was born.
The rest is history.
Parting thoughts
I can’t say that Peter Draisaitl was a super star as a player, nor that I followed his career closely. Back in the 1980s it just wasn’t possible to follow any player or league other than those in North America. Even then, it was primarily the NHL, maybe the AHL and the WHL where I grew up.
I can’t say that Peter Draisaitl was a super star as a player, nor that I followed his career closely. Back in the 1980s it just wasn’t possible to follow any player or league other than those in North America. Even then, it was primarily the NHL, maybe the AHL and the WHL where I grew up.
Still, I do recall that 1988 West German Olympic team and, because they were not in the same group as Canada in the First Round, cheering for them. I also recall cheering for them to beat Sweden to give Canada that bronze medal, although not as hard as the guys from Main Kelsey.
And Peter Draisaitl was part of that.
It was a good first act in hockey. The second act, his son Leon, is even better.
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