In any sport, when you draft players, the intent is on finding talent that can help you win. It doesn’t matter if you’re taken 1st overall or 200th overall, a player is drafted because the organization feels that he or she can make a contribution on the ice, field or court.
In the case of Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders selected a player with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft who is not only projected to be a franchise-type defenseman, but he is also an amazing human being. To understand this, all you have to do is talk to him, like I did after Tuesday’s session of the Islanders development camp.
For a 17-year-old, he is unbelievably well-spoken and that comes from his family.
“My mom and dad and brother,” said Schaefer. “We love talking. If there’s no time limit, I’d probably be here for two hours talking.”
Matthew’s story has been well-documented in recent days and weeks. His mother Jennifer passed away from breast cancer in February of 2024, but she, along with his father Todd raised him and his brother Johnny the right way.
“Me and my family are super close,” said Schaefer. “They wanted to bring us up and be good kids…go and treat people how they want to be treated…respect everyone. If it’s going out and holding a door for people…it goes so much farther than hockey itself…the game. Each and every day you just have to carry yourself well and be a great person and it will take you a long way in life.”
And the Islanders have already shown that same respect to Schaefer that he learned from his parents. When the Erie Otters star was selected this past Friday night, he was presented with a jersey from the Islanders that had a purple “Hockey Fights Cancer” ribbon on the left chest and his mother’s initials “JS” stitched on the inside of the collar.
Since he arrived on Long Island via a private jet this past Saturday and through his first few days of wearing Islanders orange and blue on the ice, Schaefer feels right at home in Islanders Country.
“It’s been so amazing,” said the native of Stoney Creek, Ontario. “It’s pretty cool getting drafted by such a high-class organization and going first overall. “To put the ribbon on my jersey and have my mom’s initials, that speaks on how high this organization is and how first-class and how well they treat their players.”
After two days of practices, the Islanders prospects will participate in the Blue vs White scrimmage on Wednesday night and then development camp will conclude with a final practice on Thursday. It’s been an opportunity for the players to not be evaluated but to learn the Islanders way and help them prepare for wherever they will play in 2025-26.
The New York Islanders, The Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL or for their junior or college team.
“You can go out there and learn a lot of things from the coaches,” said Schaefer. “We have so many great and high-skilled coaches out there helping you. You just look to get better each and every day and take from what they say.”
There’s a lot that comes with being drafted first overall.
Schaefer comes to the Islanders with a lot of hype around his game and the emotional story about his mother. There will be high expectations as to what he will bring the Islanders on the ice, but being the first overall pick also comes with a lot of responsibility.
He’s handled everything well so far including media interviews, meeting everyone in the Islanders organization and also connecting with the fans.
“Honestly, it’s just super-exciting,” said Schaefer. “You just have to enjoy it. I think that’s the biggest thing. They want you to come in here and learn a lot of things for training camp and take from it. The fans care so much. It’s pretty cool. They’re so passionate. It's amazing here.”
Once the craziness of development camp dies down and Matthew Schaefer can get a chance to experience everything that Long Island has to offer, he can use a lot of the advice that everyone, especially the fans, have given him about the delicacy that he is eager to try.
Bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel.
“I haven’t yet,” said Schaefer. “But I’m going to try to get one soon. I have to get some those main spots.”
Now the best of the best when it comes to bagels, as well as pizza, needs to step up and show the first overall pick what everyone is talking about.