Hallmark Actor Engaged to NHL Superstar: ‘The Easiest Yes’
In a romance straight out of a Hallmark movie, actor Celeste Desjardins has gotten engaged to Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl. The couple shared the happy news on Instagram on July 11, 2024, revealing that Draisaitl proposed on a beach in Mallorca, Spain.
Desjardins, known for her upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie “An Ice Palace Romance” with Marcus Rosner, posted a series of black-and-white photos from the proposal, captioned, “The easiest yes. I love you forever.”
Leon Draisaitl’s Romantic Proposal
Draisaitl went all out for the proposal after nearly eight years of dating. Desjardins, dressed in a black maxi dress and with her hair in a messy bun, was photographed looking surprised as Draisaitl, in a white linen shirt and shorts, proposed on a rocky beach adorned with flowers, rugs, throw pillows, candles, and small tables with champagne and fruit.
Draisaitl’s Instagram post, captioned “Forever ❤️,” tagged wedding planner Christina von Hunnius and florist Nadja Rothkirch, who shared videos and photos of the picturesque setting.
Desjardins’ Joyful Announcement
Desjardins, who has appeared in several Hallmark movies and series, shared screenshots of FaceTime calls with friends after the proposal, showing off her large oval engagement ring. Her engagement post received over 30,000 likes within a day, including from fellow Hallmark actors Jocelyn Hudon and Sebastian Stewart.
Planning for the Future
Desjardins and Draisaitl, both 28, have been together for nearly eight years, though it’s unclear how they met. Desjardins is from Ontario, Canada, and Draisaitl, originally from Cologne, Germany, moved to Canada to play hockey before joining the Oilers as the third overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft.
Their engagement comes shortly after the Oilers lost the Stanley Cup Final. Draisaitl, who played with a broken rib and finger, is entering the final year of his $68 million contract with the team. His agent, Jiri Poner, mentioned that contract negotiations will either conclude by the end of August or not at all, as Draisaitl holds all the negotiating power.
Future Decisions
In addition to planning their own wedding, Desjardins and Draisaitl will be involved in the Ontario wedding of Oilers teammate Connor McDavid and Lauren Kyle on July 27, where Desjardins will be a bridesmaid.
Theories on Draisaitl’s Contract
NHL analyst Bryan Hayes speculates that Draisaitl’s contract extension may be linked to McDavid’s future plans. Both players are considered crucial to the Oilers, and fans are anxious about their long-term commitments to the team. Hayes suggests that the length of Draisaitl’s new contract will be telling, with a shorter contract possibly indicating a future departure for either player.
Draisaitl’s agent has set a deadline for the contract extension, stating that if it’s not done by the end of August, it might not happen at all. Draisaitl, who won the Hart Trophy in 2020, will earn $8.5 million in the 2024-25 season, the final year of his current deal.
