Matthew Schaefer was selected first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, but his mindset didn’t change the moment the New York Islanders selected him.
For the 17-year-old defenseman, that June night was just the beginning. Real hockey players earn their spots, and Schaefer knows training camp is where his NHL dream either starts or stalls.
Will Matthew Schaefer’s Work Ethic Secure Him a Spot in the Islanders’ Lineup?
“You don’t just get stuff given to you, right? You’ve got to earn it,” Schaefer said earlier this week. “[I] still have to earn my spot on the team, and that’s what I’m going into (training) camp to do. Still a lot of hard work.”
The Hamilton, Ontario, native heads into his first camp carrying plenty of attention, but he’s refusing to get caught up in the hype surrounding his draft position. His 2024-25 season ended early after he broke his collarbone at the World Juniors, limiting him to just 17 games with the Erie Otters in the OHL.
Since being cleared for contact in May, Schaefer has been skating and training with NHL veterans like Sean Monahan, Nazem Kadri, and Scott Laughton. This experience has given him a reality check about the level of intensity required in professional hockey.
Going up against these established players has opened Schaefer’s eyes to what he needs to bring every single shift. The intensity they display during even simple drills forces him to elevate his competitive level.
“They’re trying to score on you and you’re trying to stop them. I think just on and off the ice, bettering my game, and having that compete vs. those guys. They’re making moves on me, I can better my game by stopping them, and they always want to beat me,” he explained.
The showcase also gave Schaefer his first opportunity to put on an Islanders jersey, something he admitted felt like “a dream.” However, that excitement could be tested immediately once the regular season begins.
The Islanders open October 9 against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, then host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals two nights later. Those aren’t exactly gentle introductions to NHL hockey.
How Did Matthew Schaefer Become the Top Pick?
New York landed the No. 1 selection after moving up in the draft lottery, then used that coveted pick to grab Schaefer, a 6-foot-2, left-shot defenseman with an impressive two-way game. Before his injury derailed his season, he had posted seven goals and 22 points in Erie, while also collecting two points for Canada at the World Juniors.
Now fully healthy and focused on the grind of training camp, Schaefer understands the significant step up in competition he’s about to face. The Islanders see him as a player who could adjust quickly because of his mature approach and well-rounded skill set. Despite the organization’s confidence, Schaefer isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“When training camp comes, I think I’ve got to really prove a point and show them what I’m capable of, still got to make the team. I want to be in that opening night roster. So, still lots of hard work,” he said.
For Matthew Schaefer, being chosen first overall isn’t the finish line. It’s simply the starting point for what he hopes will be a long NHL career. The chance to skate in an Islanders jersey on opening night remains his immediate goal, but he understands that goal can only be achieved through the effort he puts in during camp.