Will the New York Islanders use their first pick on a defender or scorer?
The New York Islanders own the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft after winning the 2025 Draft Lottery.
Sports Pulse
The New York Islanders defied the odds when they won May’s NHL draft lottery.
Their chances were listed at less than 3.5%.
Based on multiple mock drafts, though, the odds were even smaller the four-time Stanley Cup champions wouldn’t opt for Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the draft’s No. 1 overall pick.
The Islanders validated such predictions with their June 27 selection of the Hamilton, Ontario, native.
Schaefer, 17, was at the Peacock Theater in Los Angles, locale for the two-day, seven-round event, when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement. He joined Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid as Otters chosen before all others in a draft.
Schaefer spoke by teleconference with Islanders personnel, which included new general manager Mathieu Darche. He then sat with his father, Todd, and older brother, Johnny, for an on-air interview with ESPN.
“This is so surreal,” Schaefer said. “I can control my (emotions) a little bit now, but things like this mean so much to me. You wait your whole life for this moment.”
Spence not selected
Although Schaefer lived up to the belief he’d be the first player picked, the prediction a second Otter would be taken during the first round didn’t occur.
Erie’s Malcolm Spence wasn’t among the draft’s first 32 selections. Predictions had the forward being selected as as high as 11th and an low as 21st.
Had Spence been selected June 27, it would have marked the first time two Otters were drafted in a first round since 2015. The former Arizona Coyotes, now the Utah Mammoth, chose Dylan Strome two picks after McDavid went first overall.
Spence is still likely to be selected during Saturday’s remaining six rounds.
Notable company
McDavid, who’s helped the Edmonton Oilers advance to the last two Cup finals, went first overall in 2015. Like Schaefer, he also competed for Erie as the No. 1 overall pick (2012) for an Ontario Hockey League draft.
Schaefer also became the fourth Otter selected by the Islanders during the first round of an NHL draft. Mike Rupp (1998), Tim Connolly (1999) and Ryan O’Marra (2005) preceded him.
Rupp didn’t sign with the Islanders and returned to Erie for two more seasons. The New Jersey Devils chose him during the third round of the NHL’s 2000 draft.
‘A generational selection’
Dave Brown was Erie’s director of hockey operations the year McDavid was the first pick for the 2015 NHL draft. The Otters promoted the Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, native to general manager the following season.
Brown called Schaefer “the epitome of greatness” in an Otters news release.
“His on-ice abilities are apparent,” Brown said, “but it’s his character and personality that make him a generational selection. Matthew is the best brand ambassador I’ve ever met. He genuinely cares about every person he encounters. This is evident in his interest in every person he meets at a personal level.
“It’s such an exciting time for Matthew and (his family), and the Otters are thrilled to share in such a great moment.”
Nod to mom
The Islanders’ jersey that Schaefer donned had a pink ribbon decal on the left shoulder.
That wasn’t a coincidence.
The pink ribbon symbol honors breast cancer survivors; those who died because of it; and those who seek to find a cure.
The Schaefer family wore pink ribbons in honor of Jennifer Schaefer, who died in February 2024 after multiple bouts with breast cancer. Matthew Schaefer kissed that same logo on his jersey in a nod to her.
“Seeing that ribbon meant a lot,” he said. “I wish my mom could have been here because of this (draft).”
2025 NHL draftFirst round
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, defenseman, Erie, Ontario Hockey League
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, center, Saginaw, Ontario Hockey League
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, center, Sweden
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, center, Moncton, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
5. Nashville Predators: Brady Martin, center, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Hockey League
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, right wing, Brampton, Ontario Hockey League
7. Boston Bruins: James Hagens, center, Boston College, NCAA
8. Seattle Kraken: Jake O’Brien, center, Brantford, Ontario Hockey League
9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, defenseman, Seattle, Western Hockey League
10. Anaheim Ducks: Brandon McQueen, center, Western Hockey League
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Benjamin Kindel, center, Calgary, Western Hockey League
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Nesbitt, center, Windsor, Ontario Hockey League
13. Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear, left wing, Everett, Western Hockey League
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, defenseman, Tri-City, Western Hockey League
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, center, Seattle, Western Hockey League
16. New York Islanders: Victor Eklund, right wing, Sweden
17. New York Islanders: Kashawn Aitcheson, defenseman, Barrie, Ontario Hockey League
18. Calgary Flames: Cole Reschny, center, Victoria, Western Hockey League
19. St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, right wing, Blainville-Boisbriand, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
20. Columbus Blue Jackets: Pyotr Andreyanov, goaltender, Russia
21. Nashville Predators: Cameron Reid, defenseman, Kitchener, Ontario Hockey League
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Bill Zonnon, right wing, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
23. Ottawa Senators: Logan Hensler, defenseman, University of Wisconsin, NCAA
24. Pittsburgh Penguins: Will Horcoff, center, University of Michigan, NCAA
25. Chicago Blackhawks: Vaclav Nestrasil, right wing, Muskegon, United States Hockey League
26. Nashville Predators: Ryker Lee, right wing, Madison, United States Hockey League
27. Washington Capitals: Lynden Lakovic, left wing, Moose Jaw, Western Hockey League
28. Winnipeg Jets: Sascha Boumedienne, defenseman, Boston University, NCAA
29. Chicago Blackhawks: Mason West, center, Edina (Minnesota) High School
30. San Jose Sharks: Joshua Ravensbergen, goaltender, Prince George, Western Hockey League
31. Los Angeles Kings: Henry Brzustewicz, defenseman, London, Ontario Hockey League
32. Calgary Flames: Cullen Potter, center, Arizona State University, NCAA
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.