Matthew Schaefer, the 17-year-old defenseman and consensus No. 1 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft later this month, had his first opportunity to meet with his likely future team, the New York Islanders, at the Scouting Combine last week. He appears to be just as impressed with them as they are with him.
“It was awesome,” Schaefer told TVA Sports during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night in Florida. “I got to meet Mathieu Darche, they’re awesome guys. Super happy for him to get the GM job there. The organization, their staff is so amazing. I hear so many great things about them. They have great stuff going for them, and it would be awesome [to be drafted by them].”
Despite his age, Schaefer, who starred with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, is a skilled blue liner with maturity beyond his years. He can provide the Islanders’ always-struggling power play with another quarterback option alongside Noah Dobson, and the two could join forces as a long-term pairing and a backbone of the organization.
For as good as his offensive game is — his skating and distribution abilities are off the chart — he is also a steady, strong defender who can adapt to high-pressure situations.
While there might be more sentimental picks available in Long Island native James Hagens, the Islanders and Darche have a responsibility to take the best talent available with the No. 1 overall pick. Schaefer is just that.
“I don’t really want to go into specifics with players, but we saw some impressive young men,” Darche told Newsday. “We knew they all have their skills, they all have their qualities. All I know is with the first pick I’ll get a special player, so that’s what I’m excited about. But it was great to spend time with them. We spent more time with some kids than others. It helps make our decision for June 27.”
