The New York Islanders selected gifted 17-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the OHL's Erie Otters with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Friday night.
An elite puck-mover and brilliant skater with a top-end, two-way transition game, Schaefer has great poise, posture and edges that allow him to not only carry play from end to end but close quickly on opponents, shut down the rush and be a playmaker in his own right.
Despite a draft season limited by injury, Schaefer collected seven goals and 22 points in just 17 games with Erie.