Erie Otters hold media day amid training camp for 2024-25 OHL season
Matthew Schaefer, Malcolm Spence and Carey Terrance were among the Erie Otters who spoke during Monday’s media day session at Erie Insurance Arena.
Erie Otters’ fans should anticipate a big boost in interest when it comes to the Big Apple’s hockey rivalry.
They have the 2025 NHL draft in general — and the New York Islanders and Rangers in particular — to thank for that.
That draft, which started with June 27’s first round, began when the Islanders selected the Otters’ Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 overall pick. They stuck with the defenseman’s potential, even though a broken collarbone during the IIHF World Junior Championships has sidelined him from game action since late December.
Malcolm Spence, one of Schaefer’s Erie teammates for two Ontario Hockey League seasons, also was projected as a first-rounder. However, multiple media outlets reported the University of Michigan commitment recently lost 10 to 15 pounds because of an infection caused by a cut on his tongue.
Although that malady was enough to quash first-round interest in Spence, it wasn’t enough to deter the New York Rangers from selecting the forward during June 28’s second round. The Mississauga, Ontario, native was the first Otter drafted by one of the league’s Original Six franchises since Andrew Yogan in 2010.
“The Otters are very proud of Malcolm and his accomplishment of being selected,” Otters general manager Dave Brown said in a team news release. “Malcolm is proof hard work and determination are a recipe for achieving your personal goals.
“We’re excited to watch Malcolm work toward becoming yet another member of a large group of alumni who leave their mark on the National Hockey League.”
Could be familiar foes
The Rangers’ decision to draft Spence also meant the possibility exists three players on the Otters’ 2024-25 roster could be on opposite benches for future games between the Islanders and Rangers.
Carey Terrance could be one of Spence’s teammates on Madison Square Garden’s home bench. The Rangers acquired the rights to the Erie forward in a June 12 trade with Anaheim.
The Ducks acquired veteran forward Chris Kreider in return. The teams also swapped middle-round picks during June 28’s selections.
Anaheim took Terrance during the second round of the league’s 2024 draft. The Rangers thought enough of his talent to trade for him even though he, like Schaefer, missed the end of Erie’s regular season and all of its Robertson Cup playoff appearances because of an injury.
Terrance was checked into the boards during the Otters’ Feb. 14 game at Owen Sound. He was removed from the rink on a stretcher and taken to a hospital near the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Although Terrance was released hours later, he never suited up again.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.