Matthew Schaefer Selected First Overall in the 2025 NHL Draft

The New York Islanders have made headlines by selecting defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft held on Friday. Schaefer, who is just 17 years old, was regarded as the top prospect by NHL Central Scouting.

Player Background and Season Overview

In a challenging season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters, Schaefer’s playtime was impacted significantly. He missed the initial nine games due to mononucleosis and later suffered a broken clavicle during the IIHF World Junior Championship in December. Despite these setbacks, Schaefer managed to score seven goals and record 22 points over the span of 17 games for Erie.

Scouting Report and Skill Set

“He does it all on the ice — defends well as an elite skater with good gap control and has the ability and smarts to consistently produce offensively,” stated NHL Central Scouting in their evaluation of Schaefer.

“He has a great feel for the game and knows when to make a simple play, when to block a shot and how to get the job done. His puck retrievals are on point, he can skate his way out of trouble and capably lead the rush offensively. He quarterbacks the power play and is an offensive threat to score or set up teammates.”

Historical Context

With this selection, Schaefer joins a distinguished group of defensemen chosen first overall in the NHL Draft, following in the footsteps of Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres, 2021), Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres, 2018), Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers, 2014), and Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues, 2006).

Full List of 2025 NHL Draft First-Round Selections

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D – Erie (OHL)
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C – Saginaw (OHL)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C – Djurgardens (Sweden)
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C – Moncton (QMJHL)
5. Nashville Predators: Brady Martin, C – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW – Brampton (OHL)
7. Boston Bruins: James Hagens, C – Boston College
8. Seattle Kraken: Jake O’Brien, C – Brantford (OHL)
9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D – Seattle (WHL)
10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C – Brandon (WHL)
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Benjamin Kindel, C – Calgary (WHL)
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Nesbitt, C – Windsor (OHL) (via trade with Penguins)
13. Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear, LW – Everett (WHL)
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, D – Tri-City (WHL)
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C – Seattle (WHL)
16. New York Islanders: Viktor Eklund, RW – Djurgardens (Sweden)
17. New York Islanders: Kashawn Aitcheson, D – Barrie (OHL)
18. Calgary Flames: Cole Reschny, C – Victoria (WHL)
19. St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, RW – Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
20. Columbus Blue Jackets: Pyotr Andreyanov, G – CSKA Jr. (Russia)
21. Nashville Predators: Cameron Reid, D – Kitchener (OHL) (via trade with Senators)
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Bill Zonnon, RW – Royun-Noranda (QMJHL)
23. Ottawa Senators: Logan Hensler, D – Wisconsin
24. Pittsburgh Penguins: William Horcoff, C – Michigan
25. Chicago Blackhawks: Vaclav Nestrasil, RW – Muskegon (USHL)
26. Nashville Predators: Ryker Lee, RW – Madison (USHL)
27. Washington Capitals: Lynden Lakovic, LW – Moose Jaw (WHL)
28. Winnipeg Jets: Sascha Boumedienne, D – Boston University
29. Chicago Blackhawks: Mason West, C – Fargo (USHL)
30. San Jose Sharks: Joshua Ravensbergen, G – Prince George (CHL)
31. Los Angeles Kings: Henry Brzustewicz, D – London (CHL)
32. Calgary Flames: Cullen Potter, C – Arizona State