To the surprise of no one, the New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Upon hearing the news at the decentralized draft in L.A., Schaefer, his dad and his brother had to hold back tears no doubt thinking of his late mother who played such a big role in his life. In a startling touch, the Isles had sewn a purple cancer awareness ribbon on the Isles jersey he unfolded to and put on on the draft stage.
A mobile, 6’2”, all-zone, all-phases left-shooting blueliner, Schaefer had increasingly become the consensus top prospect in the draft, and unquestionably the top defenseman, despite being limited by injuries to only 17 OHL games in 2024-25.