Canadian 17-year-old Matthew Schaefer was the first overall selection in the NHL Draft on Friday, the New York Islanders snapping up the talented defenseman widely touted as a future superstar.<\/p>\n
Schaefer played the past two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).<\/p>\n
He missed nine games to start the 2024-25 season with glandular fever, then suffered a broken collarbone at the 2025 World Junior Championships.<\/p>\n
Amid those setbacks, he finished the season with seven goals and 15 assists in just 17 games played, but that didn’t dim the prospects for a player admired for his maturity as well as his skills.<\/p>\n
“Matthew the hockey player is outstanding,” Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said. “The human being is as outstanding as the hockey player. We’re so excited to have him here.”<\/p>\n
Schaefer has had to overcome plenty of adversity already in his young career. He fashioned a standout rookie season in 2023-24 despite grappling with his mother Jennifer’s death from cancer on February 24.<\/p>\n
At the draft ceremony in Los Angeles, he held back tears after his name was called, thanking his mom.<\/p>\n
“You wait for this moment your whole life,” said Schaefer, who will turn 18 on September 5. “I wish my mom could be here but I know she’s with me in spirit.”<\/p>\n
The San Jose Sharks had the second overall selection and took 18-year-old Canadian forward Michael Misa, who played last season for Saginaw of the OHL.<\/p>\n
The Chicago Blackhawks selected third and took Anton Frondell of Sweden.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old center scored 11 goals wih 14 assists in 29 games for Djurgardens IF in the second tier Hockey Allsvenskan last season.<\/p>\n
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