Hockey fans, get ready — Netflix has finally released the official trailer for its upcoming documentary on Leon Draisaitl, the Edmonton Oilers superstar often called “the German Gretzky.” The highly anticipated project promises to take viewers beyond the ice, showcasing intimate sides of Draisaitl that fans have never seen before.

A Glimpse Behind the Superstar

The two-minute trailer offers a taste of what’s to come: childhood footage from Cologne, Germany, clips of his early struggles in North America, and behind-the-scenes access to the Oilers’ locker room. For a player known for his stoic focus and calm demeanor, the documentary pulls back the curtain, revealing moments of vulnerability, humor, and raw determination.

“People see the goals and the highlights,” Draisaitl says in the trailer. “But they don’t always see the sacrifices, the grind, or the people who helped me get here.”

Fans React to the First Look

The trailer sparked immediate excitement across social media. Oilers supporters and hockey fans worldwide flooded comment sections with praise and anticipation. Hashtags like #DraisaitlNetflix and #BeyondTheIce began trending within hours of the trailer’s release.

One fan wrote: “This is going to be the Drive to Survive of hockey. Leon deserves the spotlight!” Another added: “About time we get to see the human side of one of the league’s greatest players.”

Beyond the Ice

Produced by Netflix in collaboration with NHL Studios, the documentary promises a mix of on-ice highlights and off-ice storytelling — including family interviews, friendships within the Oilers, and Draisaitl’s bond with fellow superstar Connor McDavid. Industry insiders suggest it will go beyond the typical sports bio, positioning Draisaitl as not only an elite athlete but also an international icon inspiring the next generation of German players.

Release Date

While Netflix has not yet announced the official premiere date, the streamer confirmed the documentary will debut later this year, just in time to capture momentum leading into the 2025–26 NHL season.

For now, one thing is certain: hockey fans around the world are counting down the days until they can witness Leon Draisaitl like they’ve never seen him before.

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl among Oilers practicing in Edmonton ahead of training camp

We’re so back.

With the Labour Day long weekend come and gone, the Edmonton Oilers are returning to the ice in preparation for this month’s training camp. On Monday, the team shared a first look at some of the players back in Edmonton this week, headlined by returning regulars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, Trent Frederic, and Calvin Pickard. Joining them on the ice this week were the newly acquired Andrew Mangiapane, top prospect Matt Savoie, defenceman Alec Regula, and attackers Noah Philp, David Tomášek, and Max Jones.

There’s a lot up for grabs at this year’s training camp, as Savoie and fellow prospect Ike Howard are primed to grab a roster spot with the Oilers this year, chasing a successful camp and preseason to do so. Savoie and Howard landed No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on Oilersnation’s 2025 Summer prospect rankings and are both stories to watch this season. With that, Edmonton’s lineup is set to have a different look this season, as they try to overcome that final barrier and win their first Stanley Cup in the McDavid era.

Mangiapane was another one of Edmonton’s adds this summer, signing a two-year, $7.2 million contract as a free agent on July 1st. Last year with the Washington Capitals, the 29-year-old had 14 goals and 28 points, though it was a slight dip from the production he put up with the Calgary Flames in previous seasons. In the 2021-22 season, he had 35 goals and 55 points, both career highs, and he’ll be looking for numbers closer to that this season with this offensively-minded group.

Of course, McDavid and Draisaitl are always the headline stealers, especially as McDavid enters the final year of his contract with the Oilers. At this point, it’s unclear if he intends to sign an extension before the start of the season.

And if your favourites aren’t in the list, don’t fret. This is just our first glimpse of what we’ll be seeing over the next month. Training camp gets started soon, with preseason action kicking off on September 21, when the Oilers will host the Calgary Flames.

Who are you most excited to watch at training camp this year?