NY Islanders choose defenseman Matthew Schaefer first in 2025 NHL draft

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The New York Islanders made defenseman Matthew Schaefer the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NHL draft Friday.

The 17-year-old Schaefer is 6-foot-2 and from Hamilton, Ontario .

He spent the previous two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters.

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Matthew Schaefer was chosen as the primary total decide by the New York Islanders within the first spherical of the 2025 NHL draft at Peacock Theater. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Photographs)

Schaefer solely performed 17 video games final 12 months earlier than breaking his collarbone in December, however his acumen on each ends of the ice nonetheless propelled him to the highest of almost all draft boards.

Schaefer is simply the fifth defenseman drafted No. 1 total within the NHL draft since 2000, and the primary since Owen Energy went to Buffalo in 2021.

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Matthew Schaefer was chosen as the primary total decide by the New York Islanders within the first spherical of the 2025 NHL draft at Peacock Theater. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Photographs)

Schaefer persevered via tragedy to succeed in this milestone. Schaefer’s mom, Jennifer, died of most cancers 16 months in the past, and he endured the current deaths of the Otters’ proprietor, Jim Waters, and the mom of his billet household.

When Schaefer pulled on his Islanders sweater for the primary time, he kissed the pink ribbon patch on the chest representing breast most cancers consciousness earlier than breaking into tears.

The San Jose Sharks decide second, and the Chicago Blackhawks go third within the newly decentralized draft on the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

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Matthew Schaefer was chosen by the New York Islandsers as the primary total decide of the 2025 NHL draft at Peacock Theater. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Photographs)

The Islanders gained the lottery to select first in a draft full of expertise.

There was no absolute lock of a No. 1 decide on this subject, though Schaefer clearly got here out on prime.

The draft additionally lacked the centralized format that has lengthy been a staple of this annual train. The 32 groups’ varied executives are largely at residence, not on the draft flooring on the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports activities author for Fox Information Digital. He beforehand labored for ESPN and Enterprise Insider. Jackson has lined the Tremendous Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.