Matthew Schaefer Leads a Star-Studded Start to the 2025 NHL Draft
Alright, let's talk about the 2025 NHL Draft—because wow, what a first round it was. If you missed it, this year’s draft kicked off in Los Angeles and immediately made headlines with the New York Islanders holding the No. 1 overall pick. And with that top pick, they made a bold and brilliant choice by selecting defenseman Matthew Schaefer from Erie of the OHL.
Now, Schaefer isn’t just any blue-liner—he’s been the No. 1-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, and for good reason. At 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds, he plays a complete, dynamic game. This past season, even though he was limited to only 17 games due to a clavicle injury suffered at the World Juniors, Schaefer still managed 22 points and a +21 rating. That’s elite production from the back end.
But what really stands out about Schaefer is the resilience he’s shown off the ice. In the span of just a few months, he lost both his mother and his billet mom—devastating losses for anyone, let alone a teenager. Yet here he is, showing not just talent, but maturity, heart, and grit. Central Scouting said it best: he’s “the complete package,” and someone who’s bound to become a future NHL All-Star. With the Islanders recently trading Noah Dobson, the opportunity is wide open for Schaefer to step in and start making an impact right away.
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The drama didn’t stop there. At No. 2, the San Jose Sharks landed Michael Misa from Saginaw. Misa, already a record-breaker in the OHL and praised for his incredible vision and hockey IQ, adds a whole new layer of depth down the middle for a Sharks team already stockpiling talent. Then, Anton Frondell , the top international skater out of Sweden, went third overall to the Chicago Blackhawks —a team already buzzing with young talent like Connor Bedard. Frondell is physical, skilled, and plays with a relentless engine.
One of the most touching stories of the night came with the Utah Mammoth , who selected Caleb Desnoyers at No. 4. Desnoyers battled through injuries this year and still led his team to a QMJHL title. He’s a cerebral, two-way player that any coach would love to have. Then at No. 5, the Predators added a hardworking farm boy in Brady Martin , a tough, physical center with offensive upside—and the work ethic to match.
It’s also worth highlighting James Hagens , who went seventh to the Boston Bruins . He’s a hometown hero of sorts, having just wrapped up a stellar season at Boston College, and he could be the elite center Boston has been missing since Bergeron and Krejci retired.
Overall, the 2025 NHL Draft’s first round was packed with skill, emotion, and future promise. From Schaefer’s inspiring journey to Misa and Frondell’s high-ceiling potential, this class feels like one we’ll be watching closely for years. If this first round is any indication, the future of the NHL is in excellent hands.
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