This article chronicles the journey of Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and how he has landed a spot on the New York Islanders’ roster. Every detail — from his junior numbers, injury history, personal adversity, contract terms, comparisons to past No. 1 defensemen, and the expectations resting on his shoulders — is woven into this narrative.
Early promise and draft ascension
Born September 5, 2007, Matthew Schaefer out of Hamilton, Ontario, grew rapidly into a top prospect. He stands 6′2″, weighs 183 lb, shoots left, and has traveled a winding path to elite status. In 2023-24, as a rookie with the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League, Schaefer played 56 games and scored 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists). In 2024-25, his season was cut short: he appeared in just 17 games, producing 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists). Aggregating both seasons, he recorded 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 73 total games with Erie.
While representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, Schaefer broke his clavicle on December 27, which prematurely ended his season. Before that, he had already missed games early in the season due to mononucleosis, missing nine games. Even with those setbacks, he maintained top rankings in scouting circles, placing first among North American skaters in multiple rankings like NHL Central Scouting, Andrew Forbes’ Top 64, and McKeen’s.
Draft day and franchise significance
Matthew Schaefer’s selection at first overall in June 2025 represented more than just a top draft pick — it carried symbolic weight for both him and the Islanders. On June 27, 2025, the New York Islanders called his name first in the NHL Draft. Schaefer became the franchise’s fifth first-overall pick, and the first time the Islanders held that slot since 2009.
He is only the fifth defenseman since 2000 to be drafted No. 1 overall, following Erik Johnson (2006), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Rasmus Dahlin (2018), and Owen Power (2021). That list underscores how rare it is for a defenseman to go first overall and places Schaefer among an exclusive company.
Personal adversity and character
Beyond numbers and rankings, Schaefer’s personal story — marked by tragedy and resilience — has become inseparable from his on-ice identity. In the two years before his draft, Schaefer experienced the deaths of his biological mother, Jennifer, and his billet mother, Emily Matson. His mother died of breast cancer in February 2024; shortly before that his billet mom passed in an apparent suicide. At the draft, Schaefer emotionally kissed a pink breast cancer–awareness ribbon sewn on his Islanders jersey in tribute.
Those losses, along with the pressure of expectations and coping with injuries, have tested Schaefer’s mental fortitude. Islanders’ management, scouts, and observers frequently cite his poise under pressure, emotional gravity, and quiet maturity as qualities that amplify his on-ice potential.
Entry-level contract and financials
Schaefer’s professional life officially began when he signed his rookie deal. The economics of that contract set the baseline for his early NHL tenure. On August 4, 2025, the Islanders announced a three-year entry-level contract with Schaefer. The total value is $2,925,000, with an average annual value (cap hit) of $975,000. That includes a signing bonus of $292,500, and all $2,925,000 is guaranteed. The deal runs through the 2027-28 season, at which point Schaefer would become a restricted free agent.
A circulating rumor falsely claimed the Islanders had locked him into a handshake 7-year, $10.5 million extension. That was debunked. For now, his entry-level deal governs contract security, and the Islanders could negotiate an extension starting July 1, 2027.
Training camp to roster lock
Getting from rookie camp to an NHL roster is not guaranteed, but Schaefer passed every litmus test this fall. Throughout preseason, Schaefer was often paired with veteran defenseman Scott Mayfield. That pairing helped ease his adaptation to NHL speed and responsibilities.
On Monday ahead of opening night, the Islanders officially announced Schaefer had made the roster, meaning he would stick in the NHL. Meanwhile, defenseman Isaiah George was reassigned to the AHL’s Bridgeport affiliate, leaving the active roster at 23 players and cap compliance intact.
NHL debut and schedule
The moment every prospect dreams about arrives when the puck drops on the first game. Schaefer is slated to make his NHL debut Thursday, October 9, 2025, when the Islanders open their season against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The game is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on SN-PIT, MSGSN, and TVAS.
This jump—from limited junior play to the show—marks a steep climb. Schaefer will be under scrutiny to justify being the No. 1 overall pick, validate that he belongs on an NHL blue line, and show he can contribute as a two-way defenseman.
Style of play and projected impact
What kind of player is Schaefer? What does the Islanders’ front office believe he can become, and how might that affect team dynamics? One recurring compliment is that Schaefer is a fluid, confident skater who moves laterally, transitions, and drives the play with the puck. His offensive instincts made him a darling of pundits even before his injury-shortened 2024-25 season.
While his offensive toolkit is advanced, some scouts voiced caution about his defensive consistency or physicality. To succeed in the NHL at 18, he must tighten his gap control, maintain defensive reads, and handle hard-zone battles.
Comparing to past top defensemen
Schaefer’s path aligns with, yet diverges from, previous No. 1 defensemen in terms of age, readiness, and expectations. Like Owen Power (Buffalo, 2021), Schaefer is a young left-shot defenseman entering the league with grand expectations. Both represent franchises betting on youth and two-way impact. Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo, 2018) set early benchmarks for playmaking from the back end, and comparisons may surface if Schaefer matches that offensive tempo.
While Aaron Ekblad (2014) and Erik Johnson (2006) had successful careers, their paths often leaned more toward physical strength and defensive solidity early on. Schaefer’s journey is more attack-oriented, with defensive refinement still to come.
Contract implications and future
Beyond the next three years, what might Schaefer’s contract trajectory look like, and how will performance talk? His entry-level deal expires after 2027-28, making him a restricted free agent (RFA) in 2028. The earliest day the Islanders can negotiate a post-entry-level extension is July 1, 2027. How much they will offer depends on his performance through 2027.
His guaranteed $2,925,000 and signing bonus structure set a foundational baseline. Performance bonuses could inflate his real earnings above that floor. Each year his leverage may grow, provided he delivers as a top-tier young defenseman.
Broader team context and expectations
Schaefer does not join the Islanders in a vacuum — his arrival shifts internal dynamics and external expectations. In 2024-25, the Islanders posted a 35–35–12 record, finishing sixth in the Metropolitan Division, and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This new season, Schaefer’s development is among the key storylines to watch in a roster retool.
The Islanders traded Noah Dobson to Montreal prior to drafting Schaefer, which opened a blue-line vacancy. Veterans like Alexander Romanov are locked into long-term deals — Romanov signed an 8-year extension worth $50 million, with an average annual value of $6.25 million. Schaefer will compete for one of the final defensive pair slots, the 6th or 7th, against players such as Isaiah George and Adam Boqvist.
Marketing, interest, and off-ice notes
Schaefer’s emergence also touches the commercial and media side of hockey. As a No. 1 pick with a compelling personal narrative, Schaefer attracts attention across NHL coverage, prospect scouting, and fan conversation. His ascent has been covered widely, with every stat, injury, and personal detail scrutinized.
As interest in his rookie season grows, he is bound to feature in rookie prop odds, futures markets, and fantasy discussions. Fans following his progress may consult best sports betting apps to track game lineups, over/unders, or defensive scoring props tied to Schaefer’s NHL tenure.
What to watch in Year 1
As the puck drops this season, certain benchmarks will define whether Schaefer’s stay in the NHL is sustainable and impactful. How much ice time he receives, whether he plays on power play or penalty kill units, and who he is paired with will signal how much trust the coaching staff places in him.
Tracking his plus-minus, point production, defensive zone turnovers, and puck possession metrics will reveal how fast he is adapting. Exceeding expectations might fast-track a future extension. Given his prior broken clavicle and bouts with illness, health will be critical. A full season without injury would boost confidence in his long-term projection.
Unique identity and narrative
Matthew Schaefer is destined not just to be another rookie, but to carry a story that resonates beyond the stat sheet. His public narrative is already entangled with emotional moments — the pink ribbon tribute, tears at the draft, stories of loss. But he has balanced that with quiet resolve, letting the performance speak. If he becomes the kind of two-way defenseman the Islanders envision, Schaefer may be a pillar for years to come — a transformative pick who justified being drafted first overall.
Matthew Schaefer’s arrival in the NHL is not simply the start of a pro career; it is the next chapter in a journey marked by scouting brilliance, adversity, and high expectations. He brings to Long Island a blend of skill, skating, and emotional weight few rookies carry. With the tools and mindset to succeed — and a three-year contract guaranteeing a $975,000 cap hit annually — all eyes will be on how he translates potential into impact.
Image credit: © Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
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