Schaefer played the past two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
He missed nine games to start the 2024-25 season with glandular fever, then suffered a broken collarbone at the 2025 World Junior Championships.
Amid those setbacks, he finished the season with seven goals and 15 assists in just 17 games played, but that did not dim the prospects for a player admired for his maturity as well as his skills.
“Matthew the hockey player is outstanding,” Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said. “The human being is as outstanding as the hockey player. We’re so excited to have him here.”
Schaefer has had to overcome plenty of adversity already in his young career. He fashioned a standout rookie season in 2023-24 despite grappling with his mother Jennifer’s death from cancer on February 24.
At the draft ceremony in Los Angeles, he held back tears after his name was called, thanking his mom.
“You wait for this moment your whole life,” said Schaefer, who will turn 18 on September 5. “I wish my mom could be here but I know she’s with me in spirit.”
The San Jose Sharks had the second overall selection and took 18-year-old Canadian forward Michael Misa, who played last season for Saginaw of the OHL.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected third and took Anton Frondell of Sweden.
The 18-year-old center scored 11 goals wih 14 assists in 29 games for Djurgardens IF in the second tier Hockey Allsvenskan last season. (AFP)