Matthew Schaefer enters the 2024-25 campaign as the top-rated defensemen in the Class of 2025. The 17-year-old may even be most complete player in this years draft. Schaefer has a long resume playing at the international and major junior level. The youngster has participated at all of the major IIHF tournaments including the U18's and Hlinka-Gretzky. Schaefer even captained Team Ontario at the Youth of Games Tournament in his U16 season.
Schaefer's Minor Hockey Career
Schaefer, a Hamilton native originated his hockey career playing for the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs of the Ontario Minor Hockey League. He would play with the Jr. Bulldogs till his U16 season, where he made the transition to play for the prestigious Halton Hurricanes organization. The Canes entered the 2022-23 season as the reigning OMHA champions, captained by current Kingston Frontenacs player, Tyler Hopkins and Clarkson commit, Christian Giancola. Schaefer would begin the season on the injured list missing the early part of the OMHA season and the annual Toronto Titans Early Bird Tournament.
During his U16 season, Schaefer was selected to play for Team Ontario alongside fellow other #2025NHLProspects, William Moore (USDTNP) and Jack Ivankovic (Brampton, OHL). Schaefer won tournament MVP, scoring the overtime winning goal as Team Ontario defeated Alberta in the finals. The tournament also included the likes of Gavin McKenna and Ryan Roobroeck, two projected top-five picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Schaefer concluded his minor hockey career taking home the OMHA SCTA Player of the Year Award.
Schaefer's strong season prompted the Erie Otters to take the defensemen with the 1st overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Draft. According to one scout, "Schaefer proved to be the top defender in the Ontario pool after his impressive performance at the YOG". Additionally, Erie management noted "Matthew's skating and transition game propels his game above all other players at his age-group, he is a truly special player".
Schaefer's Transition to Major-Junior
From a brief overview perspective, there were certainly some drop-offs in the offensive numbers in Schaefer's game as he made the transition to the OHL. But this is totally normal. There are not many 16-year-olds that can step directly into an OHL lineup filled with 20-year-olds.
Schaefer ended his rookie campaign with three goals and 17 points in 56 regular season games. The d-man played a prominent role on the second-pair of a weak Otters team. Unfortunately, Schaefer and Erie's season was cut short as the team failed to make the postseason.
Schaefer's Team Canada Career
"Matthew Schaefer has consistently shown to be a big game player". This statement was proved true as Schaefer was one of two 07' born players to be selected to play as an underaged player for Team Canada at the U18 tournament (the other being 3rd string, emergency goaltender, Jack Ivankovic). This move by Team Canada truly shows the belief that the coaching staff had with Schaefer. The youngster even played on the top defensive pairing alongside NHL draftee Charlie Elick. In the end, Team Canada was awarded as their squad defeated the United States in the gold medal game.
Offensively, Schaefer was solid finishing the tournament with five points in seven games. Schaefer ran the second power play unit for his nation.
Moreover, Schaefer also represented Team Canada this summer at the Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament. Back with his age group, Schaefer captained the team to gold as Canada defeated Czechia in the gold medal game. Schaefer was even more dynamic notching six points in five games.
Draft/Ranking Projections
- 2025 NHL Draft: Projected #2 Overall
- Canadian Player: #1 Overall
- D-Man Worldwide: #1 overall