Matthew Schaefer: The Standout Talent Headlining the 2025 NHL Draft Class
As the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft approaches, one name consistently rises above the rest: Matthew Schaefer. The dynamic defenseman from the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is widely considered “by far the best prospect” available, drawing comparisons to fellow Erie alumnus and former No. 1 pick, Connor McDavid.
Projected to be the first OHL player selected first overall since McDavid in 2015, Schaefer represents a rare blend of skill, size, and hockey sense. At 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds, the left-shot blueliner is recognized as a franchise-altering talent capable of quarterbacking a power play and driving play from the backend.
A Season Defined by Potential and Resilience
Schaefer’s draft-eligible season saw limited action due to a fractured clavicle sustained while representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in December. Despite missing 46 games, including the OHL playoffs, he still impressed in the 17 contests he played, recording 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and a plus-21 rating. His 1.29 points per game ranked third among OHL defensemen and was the best rate among draft-eligible players at the position. Cleared for contact in early May, he showcased his athleticism at the NHL Scouting Combine with strong results in physical testing.
Ranked No. 1 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Schaefer has earned rave reviews. Scouts describe him as “the complete package playing a dynamic style that generates results,” projecting him as a “future All-Star.” Sportsnet analyst Jason Bukala echoed this sentiment, stating the assessment of Schaefer as the draft’s top player “is not even debatable.”
Beyond his on-ice prowess, Schaefer has navigated significant personal adversity, losing his mother and billet mother within months of each other earlier in the year. He plans to honor his mother at the draft, keeping family pictures inside his jacket, a poignant reminder of his strength and character.
Islanders Hold the Coveted No. 1 Pick
The New York Islanders secured the first overall selection in the 2025 draft, defying 3.5 percent lottery odds. This marks the fifth time in franchise history they will pick first, the most recent being center John Tavares in 2009. For a team that missed the playoffs this season, landing the top pick represents a significant opportunity.
New Islanders General Manager Mathieu Darche, hired in late May, faces the rare task of making the top selection in his first major move. Darche has been unequivocal about the team’s plans, stating he will “not be trading the No. 1 selection.” While acknowledging due diligence and listening to offers, he stressed that someone would need to “really knock my socks off” to pry the pick away, highlighting the certainty that the Islanders will draft a “special player.” The team is reportedly focusing heavily on researching player character in the days leading up to the draft.
A left-shot defenseman like Schaefer fits a potential need for the Islanders, offering a potential complement to right-handed defenseman Noah Dobson on the top pairing. The only defenseman the Islanders have ever selected first overall was Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin in 1973. Co-owner Jon Ledecky has framed the draft as a “new beginning” for the franchise, emphasizing a push to become “younger and faster.” The excitement is palpable on Long Island, with the team hosting a large draft party for fans, aiming to replicate the energy seen when Tavares was drafted.
Beyond the Top Spot: Other Notable Prospects
While Schaefer leads the pack, the 2025 draft class offers significant talent at the top. The San Jose Sharks hold the No. 2 pick after selecting Macklin Celebrini first in 2024.
Other highly-ranked North American skaters include:
Michael Misa (C, Saginaw, OHL): Ranked No. 2, Misa is a dynamic center whose play style is compared to Steven Stamkos. He won the OHL scoring title (Eddie Powers Trophy) with 134 points and tied John Tavares for the most points by an OHL player under 18 since 2000. He also received the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence for character and competitiveness.
James Hagens (C, Boston College, Hockey East): Ranked No. 3, Hagens is a skilled playmaker and skater likened to Clayton Keller. A Long Island native and Islanders fan, there is significant fan interest in the team potentially acquiring another high pick to select him (the “BRING HAGENS HOME” movement). GM Darche has indicated he is exploring all options, potentially including moving into the top 10 again if the opportunity arises. Hagens tied for the U.S. lead in goals at the gold medal-winning 2025 World Juniors.
The draft also features depth at defense beyond Schaefer, with top prospects like Radim Mrtka (Seattle, WHL), known for his size and reach; Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie, OHL), a physical, high-scoring blueliner; and Jackson Smith (Tri-City, WHL), a strong two-way defender, highlighting the talent available later in the first round. Top goaltenders include Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George, WHL) and Pyotr Andreyanov (CSKA, Russia).
A Decentralized Draft Experience
The 2025 NHL Draft will feature a unique format, decentralized for the first time. Top prospects like Schaefer will gather at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, while team executives, coaches, and scouts will operate remotely from their home markets. After being selected, players will enter a virtual reality room to connect with their new teams, a novel element for the event. While offering privacy benefits for teams, the new format has also drawn comments about potentially missing the traditional energy of the draft floor. Commissioner Gary Bettman will announce the No. 1 pick, while special guests will announce subsequent first-round selections.
As the Islanders prepare to make their landmark decision and welcome a potential cornerstone player, the 2025 NHL Draft promises significant intrigue, centered squarely on the dominant talent of Matthew Schaefer.
(Note: Forward Matt Martin, a longtime Islander known for his physical play and hits record, recently retired and was named a special assistant to GM Mathieu Darche, adding another piece to the Islanders’ organizational structure heading into the draft.)
