Leon Draisaitl names the top 5 players he looks up to in NHL

Collecting sport's memorabilia is a common and wide-spread hobby, even, and perhaps more so, among professional athletes, given how close they are to the action.

Even as a kid, Draisaitl followed his hockey-hero Pavel Datsyuk, calling him his 'number one guy' and his favorite player growing up, loving to watch him and learn from him. Draisaitl aimed to model his game after Datsyuk's two-way style, not just focusing on offense.

And it shows; both are known for their elite offensive abilities and strong 200-foot game.

Also, though not mentioned in the video, while growing up in Cologne, Germany, Draisaitl relied on YouTube clips to follow Maxim Afinogenov, who he couldn't see play on TV, according to reports.

Another childhood idol of Leon's was Anze Kopitar, yet another scoring forward with a strong defensive game, who won two Selke Trophies over his distinguished, 2 Cup-winning career.

Leon Draisaitl's favourite players all seem to be cut from the same mold, high-end scores that are defensively responsible and are, or were, leaders on their respective teams.

No doubt, Draisaitl himself has influenced young hockey players around the globe, both starting off in the game, and NHLers in the early years of their careers.

He is the kind of player whose game is recognizable and is one of the NHL's best players.