Leon Draisaitl’s former billets excited to see him play in Stanley Cup Final

There might not be a lot of Saskatchewan players in this year’s Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, but there are several players on both teams who spent time in the province early in their careers.

One of the players who started in Saskatchewan is Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl.

Born in Germany, Draisaitl started his junior hockey career with the Prince Albert Raiders. He spent two seasons there from 2012 to 2014 before he was selected fourth overall by the Oilers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

In Prince Albert, Draisaitl was billeted with Carole Ring and her family.

A young Leon Draisaitl with former Prince Albert Raider and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Modano. (Submitted)

Ring is a well-known figure in the Prince Albert hockey community, as she’s billeted more than 30 players throughout the years. Along with Draisaitl, she’s also opened her home to Mike Modano and Dean McAmmond before they began their lengthy careers in the NHL.

Carole’s son Martin Ring said his parents were always a big part of the hockey scene in Prince Albert.

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“They were always involved with the hockey club itself and it was part of the community – they wanted to be involved in that perspective,” Martin Ring said when asked how his family first got into billeting players.

“They started taking the players in, and then after my dad passed away my mom took on players again (a few years later), and now she had even more room in the house. There were times where she had three players billeting at her house.”

Martin got to know the future Oilers star very well when he played with the Raiders, and Draisaitl still stays in contact with their family.

“He’s extremely excited, and at the same time extremely focused knowing there’s another series to go,” Martin said, explaining that he’d been texting with Draisaitl after the Oilers clinched a birth in the Stanley Cup Final.

“In March we went out for a home game in Edmonton and we ended up staying overnight at Leon’s house, and had a great visit with him and his girlfriend.”

Watching Draisaitl grow up from the age of 16, Martin said he was always determined to get to the next level.

“He took responsibility for his game and he wore that on his shoulders,” Martin said.

“Leon was just always so focused and driven to become a hockey player.”

Martin thinks Carole’s success helping players like Modano and McAmmond led to her being given the opportunity to host Draisaitl during his time in Prince Albert.

Carole stopped billeting at the end of the 2019 season when the Raiders won the WHL championship.

The family right now doesn’t have any plans to attend the Stanley Cup Final, as they don’t want to distract Draisaitl during his quest for the cup.

“We’ll watch it at home with family and friends,” Martin said. “It’s tempting, because Edmonton is not far away, but it’s a premium ticket to get as well.”

The Stanley Cup Final begins in Sunrise, Florida on Saturday.