With the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer from the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. The selection of Schaefer was widely anticipated. The 17-year-old defenseman is considered the Islanders' best prospect since John Tavares was drafted in 2009.
Schaefer, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-shot defenseman from Hamilton, Ontario, tallied seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 17 games with the Erie Otters. His season was cut short when he broke his collarbone at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. Despite the injury, Schaefer's all-around game and potential made him the top prospect in the draft.
Schaefer is known for his elite skating ability and his play in all three zones. EliteProspects describes him as an "elite puck-rusher" who "controls games from the back end, making the play flow through him". He is also praised for his leadership qualities and competitiveness. "On the ice, I'm a two-way defenseman. I can play all over the ice, power play, penalty kill, very competitive, and I love to win," Schaefer said.
The Islanders, under new general manager Mathieu Darche, are hoping Schaefer will be a cornerstone of their defense for years to come. Darche was hired last month after the Islanders did not renew Lou Lamoriello's contract. The team is looking to improve after a disappointing 2024-25 season, in which they finished with a 35-35-12 record, their lowest points percentage since 2018.
Schaefer is just the fifth defenseman drafted No. 1 overall in the NHL draft since 2000, and the first since Owen Power went to Buffalo in 2021. Schaefer has persevered through tragedy to reach this milestone. Schaefer's mother, Jennifer, died of cancer 16 months ago, and he also endured the recent deaths of the Otters' owner, Jim Waters, and the mother of his billet family. When Schaefer pulled on his Islanders sweater for the first time, he kissed the pink ribbon patch on the chest representing breast cancer awareness before breaking into tears.
The San Jose Sharks picked second, and the Chicago Blackhawks went third in the newly decentralized draft held at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
