Islanders sign Matthew Schaefer to 3-year, entry-level contract
Schaefer scored seven goals and 22 points in 17 games with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League this past season. His season ended after he injured his collarbone while playing with Team Canada during the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa. The defenseman scored 10 goals and 29 assists in 73 career games with the Otters, earning All-Rookie Team honors during the 2023-24 campaign.
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The Stoney Creek, Ont., native won a gold medal in 2024 with Team Canada at the U18 World Hockey Championship in Finland, and also captained Canada to a Hlinka Gretzky Cup victory the same year. Schaefer is the Islanders' fifth-ever first overall pick and their first since the drafted John Tavares in 2009.
A very, very emotional moment for Matthew Schaefer ❤️
🎥 @NHL | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/EmtPwn3nnn
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 27, 2025
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