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Forbes
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Top Takeaways From Round 1 Of The 2025 NHL Draft
Matthew Schaefer points skyward next to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected first ... More overall by the New York Islanders during the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater on June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) Perhaps it would have been impossible for any sequel to measure up to the spectacle that the NHL delivered for its 2024 Draft a year ago at the Sphere in Las Vegas. In a new format with teams working out of their home markets and the show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Round 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday felt bumpy at times but delivered some heartfelt emotion and a strong showing from Canadian Hockey League prospects. Despite missing the second half of his season after breaking his collarbone at the 2025 world junior championship, Erie Otters defense prospect Matthew Schaefer demonstrated the strong character that helped him remain the strong consensus No. 1 pick despite missing so much action. He also went through the physical testing and interview process earlier this month at the NHL's scouting combine. In addition to keeping a positive attitude despite his injury, Schaefer also went through the draft process just one year after losing his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer in 2024. The tears were flowing from father Todd and brother Jonathon as they heard NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announce Matthew's name as the first overall selection by the New York Islanders, just 36 days after Mathieu Darche took over as the team's new general manager. When Schaefer took to the stage to shake Bettman's hand and don the Islanders jersey, he kissed the purple cancer awareness ribbon that was affixed to the breast of the sweater, then pointed to the sky to honor his mother. From there, it became difficult for him to regain his composure as he was ushered into the 'NHL Draft House' to speak virtually with Darche and his colleagues via videoconference — an inauspicious start for the new format that the league's general managers had voted to adopt this season. And while the early part of the draft definitely draws the most attention, the presentation dragged. Friday's first round ultimately clocked in at more than four hours. It took 40 minutes to get through the first three picks. The video interactions between players and teams were also repetitive and uncomfortable. Tongue-tied players did their best to express their gratitude while caught up in one of the biggest moments of their lives, while GMs attempted to offer elevator-pitch scouting reports on the players' attributes. In the past, those conversations have felt much more organic when a reporter can snag a GM off the draft floor. A general view of the stage prior to the seventh overall pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2025 NHL ... More Draft at Peacock Theater on June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images) Perhaps the decentralized format served the general managers' objectives of keeping their targets and conversations away from their rivals. But the entertainment value suffered, and the proceedings dragged on just as we saw previously with the virtual drafts conduced by necessity as a result of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. There weren't any blockbuster trades during Round 1 itself, just some small swaps as teams moved up or down by a few positions. The format is not to blame for that outcome — the same was true in 2024. One big trade did come down in earlier in the day, and was announced during the draft proceedings: the Islanders trading 25-year-old defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 16th and 17th picks, plus forward Emil Heineman. Amid much talk that he'd be a target of his hometown New York Islanders, James Hagens was selected ... More seventh overall by the Boston Bruins at the 2025 NHL Draft. (Photo by) There was talk that the Islanders could try to package those picks in order to trade up and snag James Hagens, the shifty Long Island-born center who has starred with the U.S. National Team Development Program and was a point-per-game freshman with Boston College in 2024-25. But Hagens was snapped up by the Boston Bruins with the seventh pick. The Islanders went with super-skilled Swedish winger Victor Eklund at No. 16 and big, gregarious two-way defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson at No. 17 — boosting their prospect pool dramatically over just a couple of hours. Mason West poses for a portrait during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine at the HarborCenter on June ... More 05, 2025 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) Arguably the biggest surprise of Day 1 came well into the fourth hour, when the Chicago Blackhawks traded up to select 6-foot-7 center Mason West out of high school hockey in Edina, Minnesota at No. 29. West rose from No. 50 to No. 27 in the rankings of North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting over the course of the season. But he's a two-sport athlete who also plays quarterback, and who made it clear that he plans to play football this fall in hopes of winning a state championship before moving on to the USHL. There's a risk for the Blackhawks because, while West says he's committed to hockey, a successful season on the gridiron could tempt him to stick with football. After his team missed the playoffs for five straight seasons and finished second-last in the league standings in 2024-25, GM Kyle Davidson determined that was a risk worth taking. The Blackhawks already have a deep prospect pool and also added to it on Friday with Swedish phenom Anton Frondell at No. 3 and hulking Czech winger Vaclav Nestrasil at No. 25. When the dust settled, 21 of the 32 picks in the first round came from the Canadian Hockey League — which will likely lean into its development roots more than ever starting next season, now that its older players have become eligible to move to the NCAA. Nine first-rounders came from the OHL including the top two picks, Schaefer and forward Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks). Nine also came from the WHL, led by big Czech defenseman Radim Mrtka at No. 9 (Buffalo Sabres). And after landing no first-round picks last year, the QMJHL rebounded with three in 2025. After finishing seventh among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings, center Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats rose to fourth overall, selected by the Utah Mammoth after their draft-lottery win. The other eleven picks came from Sweden (two, led by Frondell at No. 3), the NCAA (five, led by Hagens at No. 7), Russia (goalie Pyotr Andreyanov to the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 20), high school hockey (West, at No. 28) and the USHL (two, led by Nestrasil at No. 25). All told, 20 Canadians were drafted in Round 1, followed by six Americans, two Swedes, two Czechs, one Russian and one Finn. Positionally, there were 14 centers, eight wingers, eight defensemen and two goalies. With the first 32 picks now in the books, there's plenty more draft action ahead. Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft kicks off Saturday at noon ET (NHL Network, ESPN+, Sportnet One).
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Hamilton-born Matthew Schaefer selected first overall at the 2025 NHL draft
Matthew Schaefer, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the New York Islanders during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. Matthew Schaefer stood up after his name was called. The emotion of moment was too much. Thinking about the person he wished more than anything could be by his side overwhelmed the 17-year-old defenceman. His tears flowed soon after. The New York Islanders did the expected Friday, selecting Schaefer with the first pick at the 2025 NHL draft. His big moment just steps from Arena — home of the Los Angeles Kings — was also tinged with a level of sadness. The teenager's mother, Jennifer, died of breast cancer in February 2024. Schaefer, who spent two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, kissed the cancer awareness ribbon on his Islanders jersey after pulling it on, pointed to the sky and then broke down. 'I couldn't control the tears … thinking about my mom a little extra today,' said the Hamilton native. 'I know she'd be very proud. I'd love her to be here in person. But obviously cancer sucks, so she's with me in spirit. 'I know she's not suffering and she's happy, smiling down and always with me.' Schaefer had been viewed as the slam-dunk top selection for months despite not playing since December after suffering a broken collar bone while suiting up for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. His mother's passing came three months after his billet mom was struck and killed by a train in what was ruled death by suicide. Schaefer then was rocked during the world juniors when mentor and Otters owner Jim Waters died of a heart attack in December. The six-foot-two, 186-pound blueliner with elite skill at both ends of the rink joins an organization that was busy in the hours before calling his name first inside the Peacock Theater. The Islanders traded defenceman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Emil Heineman and the 16th and 17th overall picks. The San Jose Sharks then took forward Michael Misa second overall. Once the hands-down presumptive first pick in 2025, the six-foot-one, 182-pound centre from Oakville, Ont., led the entire Canadian Hockey League in goals (62) and points (134) in 2024-25 playing for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. 'It was awesome,' Misa said. 'Just a moment of relief, excitement, a little emotional with my family — they've meant so much to me and supported me.' The Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell at No. 3. The six-foot-one, 204-pound centre had 25 points in 29 regular-season games playing against men in Sweden's second division this season with Djurgardens. Caleb Desnoyers went fourth overall to the Utah Mammoth. The centre for Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League took home the circuit's playoff MVP honours after putting up nine goals and 21 assists in 19 games, helping the Wildcats reach the Memorial Cup. The St-Hyacinthe, Que., product also won the Mike Bossy Trophy as the league's top professional prospect. 'I had a great feeling with them,' Desnoyers said of the Mammoth. 'Heard a lot of great things.' The Nashville Predators then picked Brady Martin to round out the top-5. Instead of being in Los Angeles for the draft, the centre for the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds was back home working on his family farm in Elora, Ont. The Philadelphia Flyers took forward Porter Martone of the OHL's Brampton Steelheads sixth overall before the Boston Bruins picked Boston College centre James Hagens at No. 7. Jake O'Brien of the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs landed eighth to the Seattle Kraken, Radim Mrtka of the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds went ninth to the Buffalo Sabres and Roger McQueen of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings joined the Anaheim Ducks at No. 10. The 2025 showcase event marks the NHL's first decentralized draft in a non-pandemic environment — a format similar to the NFL and NBA where teams make selections remotely instead of all being in the same venue on-site. No decision has been made on how the draft will look next year, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly said earlier Friday the vote in favour of decentralization among teams this time around was 26-6. Celebrities and special guests named each pick after Schaefer, including actor Adam Sandler, who announced Hagens going to the Bruins. 'One of the coolest moments I've ever had,' Hagens said. 'It's something that doesn't feel real.' There were, however, some hiccups. Players entered the so-called 'NHL Draft Room' after getting picked to speak with their new general managers, but one example of things not going exactly according to plan came when Boston's video feed froze as Hagens was speaking to the team's brass. The Vancouver Canucks owned the highest selection among Canadian clubs at No. 15. The draft continues Saturday with rounds two through seven. The night, however, belonged to Schaefer. 'I don't usually cry as much as my dad and brother,' he said. 'My dad's like, 'Ah, you won't cry.' And then I'm kind of biting my tongue, and my name gets called, and then they start flowing. 'Happy tears … I just wish my mom could be here.' By Joshua Clipperton This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
France 24
6 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
Islanders take Canadian teen Schaefer first overall in NHL Draft
Schaefer played the past two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He missed nine games to start the 2024-25 season with glandular fever, then suffered a broken collarbone at the 2025 World Junior Championships. 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. "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." 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. At the draft ceremony in Los Angeles, he held back tears after his name was called, thanking his mom. "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." 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. The Chicago Blackhawks selected third and took Anton Frondell of Sweden. 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. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch Matthew Schaefer's moving reaction after being selected first in 2025 NHL Draft
Matthew Schaefer is officially the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old star was selected by the New York Islanders on June 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, despite missing half of last season due to a broken clavicle. Advertisement As Schaefer put on his Islanders uniform with the No. 25 on stage, he got emotional, kissing the jersey where a pink ribbon was placed, and pointing to the sky. Schaefer was likely paying homage to his mother, Jennifer, who died during the 2023-24 season. 2025 NHL Draft live updates: Matthew Schaefer goes first, picks, order Watch: Matthew Schaefer emotional after Islanders make him top pick Schaefer was wearing a jacket with his mother's picture inside when he arrived at the draft in Los Angeles. His mother, Jennifer, died following a two-year battle with breast cancer during the 2023-24 season. His billet mother, Emily Matson, and Erie Otters owner Jim Waters also died that same season. Schaefer played his junior hockey with Erie. Advertisement "Thank you guys, I appreciate you taking a chance on me," Schaefer said to the Islanders' decision makers following the selection on stage. "I promise I won't disappoint, but especially want to say to my mom and the rest of my family and friends, 'thanks for everything.'" The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Schaefer NHL draft reaction: Islanders' top pick emotional
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matthew Schaefer was so emotional after being picked No. 1 overall at NHL Draft
The New York Islanders made Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday night. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Schaefer was also the first overall pick in the Ontario Hockey League draft in 2023. It was an emotional moment for the 17-year-old prospect, whose mother passed away from breast cancer in February of 2024. Schaefer was brought to tears of joy after his selection was announced, and as he put on the Islanders jersey on stage with commissioner Gary Bettman, he kissed the breast cancer awareness ribbon on his jersey and pointed to the sky. Advertisement The emotions continued as Schaefer met with New York brass, including general manager Mathieu Darche. "It's a great day in the Islander organization," Darche said. "Your parents should be extremely proud of you. I know your mom is proud of you." Schaefer shined in 17 games last season with the Otters, totaling 22 points with seven goals in that span before suffering a broken clavicle in December while competing for Canada at the World Junior Championship. He's had quite a bit of success in international play already in his career, winning gold medals for Canada in the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Advertisement After overcoming personal tragedy, Schaefer's draft dreams came true on Friday night. Now, he'll join an Islanders franchise that hasn't advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs since 2021 and is coming off a 35-35-12 season in which it missed the postseason. This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: 2025 NHL Draft: Matthew Schaefer was emotional after going 1st overall
