D Matt Schaefer - Erie Otters, OHL (2025 Draft)

[Juxtaposer]

I liked Schaefer more than any other Canadian defenseman this tournament and he doesn’t turn 17 until September. Really exciting player.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Had a great tournament. Ultra fluid skater and good transition defender. Seeing him and Hensler go head to head yesterday I think I preferred his game slightly more

Yeah, Hensler is nothing special. He’s a hyped up Reinbacher. Schaefer will probably be drafted higher and has more potential.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Off to quite a start at the Hlinka. Button can hardly contain his excitement for the player.

 

[BigRangy]

How did this guy only have 17 points in the O last year? He’s pretty good

 

[Hockeyville USA]

How did this guy only have 17 points in the O last year? He’s pretty good

Erie wasn't good and he doesn't cheat for points

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Button probably has him slotted second overall on his board.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

How did this guy only have 17 points in the O last year? He’s pretty good

Had a really slow start to his year.

Also the transition from Minor Midget to the CHL is much more difficult for defenceman than forwards, IMO. You can better insulate and hide forwards than Dmen.

 

[BKarchitect]

@GermanSpitfire was all over this kid from the start. Credit to all who said “this kid is great, just you watch” when inevitably all the stat watchers piled on this past season when he wasn’t pointing up huge counting stats. This kid is so smooth. Prototypical modern defender and seems to have intangibles and an amazing head. If you haven’t read the story about his mom and his billet mom and the losses this kid has suffered through this year…get some tissues out.

Rooting hard for his kid and by all accounts - he’s gonna be an awesome NHLer and person.

 

[PatrickMcC]

What’s the difference between him and say Jamie Drysdale? Jamie also looked awesome in junior.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

What’s the difference between him and say Jamie Drysdale? Jamie also looked awesome in junior.

Schaefer better all around game, IMO. Both guys are smooth skaters and skilled offensively.

Schaefer should end up around 6'2" 200lbs or so, so pretty decent size advantage over Drysdale as well.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

What’s the difference between him and say Jamie Drysdale? Jamie also looked awesome in junior.

Schaefer is much better defensively

 

[PatrickMcC]

Schaefer is much better defensively

Are you sure? Jamie was excellent defensively as a junior. His calling card was elite skating, poise, defensive positioning and IQ. He lacked offensive flair and size.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Are you sure? Jamie was excellent defensively as a junior. His calling card was elite skating, poise, defensive positioning and IQ. He lacked offensive flair and size.

Yes, Schaefer looks far better at the same age.

 

[BKarchitect]

What’s the difference between him and say Jamie Drysdale? Jamie also looked awesome in junior.

And Drysdale was also awesome as a teenager rookie defenseman in the NHL - his career and development has just been interrupted by injuries.

If all Schaefer is, is a "bigger" Drysdale - that would make him a top 5 pick, seeing as Drysdale himself was a 6th overall pick who looked well worth the investment until injuries derailed his progress. Another guy in that range who is bigger and might draw some comps because of his skating, composed defensive play and "quieter" offensive abilities - is Jake Sanderson, who as the #5 pick in that same draft.

Schaefer certainly looks like he could end up in that bracket of prospect.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

And Drysdale was also awesome as a teenager rookie defenseman in the NHL - his career and development has just been interrupted by injuries.

If all Schaefer is, is a "bigger" Drysdale - that would make him a top 5 pick, seeing as Drysdale himself was a 6th overall pick who looked well worth the investment until injuries derailed his progress. Another guy in that range who is bigger and might draw some comps because of his skating, composed defensive play and "quieter" offensive abilities - is Jake Sanderson, who as the #5 pick in that same draft.

Schaefer certainly looks in that bracket of prospect.

Drysdale also had to deal with Covid interrupting his development, then getting rushed into the NHL when he probably should have stayed in the A. His metrics in 2021-22 weren't good despite putting up points. Then injuries have really hurt his development.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

This story is from May. I didn't know about the on-ice grief Schaefer had to deal with during his rookie OHL season.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/light-feet-heavy-heart-the-tragic-story-of-a-rising-hockey-star-and-two-unfathomable/article_fdb7a16e-07c9-11ef-9316-df7d141e4347.html

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

h/t to Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff for this article, which included a link to Ken Campbell story.

Meet Matthew Schaefer, the top (early) defenseman for the 2025 NHL Draft

Schaefer is turning heads at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and its only just the start of what’s expected to be...

www.dailyfaceoff.com

 

[BKarchitect]

This story is from May. I didn't know about the on-ice grief Schaefer had to deal with during his rookie OHL season.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/light-feet-heavy-heart-the-tragic-story-of-a-rising-hockey-star-and-two-unfathomable/article_fdb7a16e-07c9-11ef-9316-df7d141e4347.html

Yeah that’s the story I was reading. Makes you think twice before putting a 17 year-old on blast for not scoring enough points.

Frankly it’s a sobering reminder that the athletes we follow aren’t robots and who knows what they are dealing with in the real world.

But it’s a great reason to cheer for this kid and be amazed at his mental character. There’s certainly a reason he’s got a “C” on his chest.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I think he has an outside shot of going first overall and overtaking Hagens throughout the season. I think he solidified that he should now be considered the #1 D in the class and I’d argue should be no lower than #3 overall on most, if not all lists.

Very impressive performance at the Hlinka and was probably the best player in the tournament.

It’s been a fun ride following this prospect over the years, as all he ever does is show up in big games and shows progression.

 

[jtechkid]

i agree - his hockey iq is off the charts - always makes the right play - plays a simple game for elite skater but his risk/ reward is as good as i’ve seen from a prospect - build nhl team around a player like him

 

[Juxtaposer]

i agree - his hockey iq is off the charts - always makes the right play - plays a simple game for elite skater but his risk/ reward is as good as i’ve seen from a prospect - build nhl team around a player like him

I really think the hockey IQ is why I'm so high in this kid, especially coming off the "year of the defenseman" where other than Buium all the defensemen have some sort of hockey IQ concern. But Schaefer also has solid size and excellent skating, which Buium doesn't.

 

[LeProspector]

I really think the hockey IQ is why I'm so high in this kid, especially coming off the "year of the defenseman" where other than Buium all the defensemen have some sort of hockey IQ concern. But Schaefer also has solid size and excellent skating, which Buium doesn't.

I think he’s a very exciting prospect, too.

 

[macbowes]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835692775360122950

Really hoping he gets through as healthy as possible, mono can be brutal.

 

[Patty Ice]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835692775360122950

Really hoping he gets through as healthy as possible, mono can be brutal.

Mono you say?

Welcome to San Jose, Matthew.

 

[viper0220]

"The early line on the most credible threats to Hagens’ No. 1 status are dynamic Erie Otter defenceman Matthew Schaefer...

Should Hagens not go first overall, the TSN survey suggests Erie defenceman Schaefer goes into this season as the next best contender.

Five of the 10 scouts surveyed by TSN slotted Schaefer at No. 2, and he was the only prospect other than Hagens to not get a vote outside the top five.

Schaefer is amongst the very best skaters in the entire draft class. He has speed to burn, but he’s also incredibly agile on his skates and can be really quick going in any direction. He’s able to be aggressive with both his offensive forays and gap control because he’s so adept at getting back quickly to play defence.

“I have a feeling [Schaefer] will be a really difficult guy for some teams to pass on at No. 1,” said one scout of the 6-foot-1 3/4, 183 pound native of Stoney Creek, Ont., who was the first-overall pick in the 2022 OHL draft to Erie.

Schaefer projects as a top pair NHL defenceman.

“That’s his floor,” said a scout. “He might be a true No. 1 NHL defenceman, but a top pair projection for sure. He can do it all. He makes things happen offensively. He can run a power play. He can kill penalties. He’s dependable five on five with and without the puck. His skating is elite. He gets the puck up the ice quickly. He can skate it up himself or pass it.”

James Hagens in pole position for top spot at 2025 NHL Draft | TSN

The Boston College freshman centre is the near-unanimous choice for No. 1 on Bob McKenzie's annual Pre-Season Ranking for the 2025 draft.

www.tsn.ca

This kid looks good and he has faced adversity, his mom passed away from breast cancer.

He sounds like a wonderful gentleman and a great hockey player, if the Calgary Flames have a top 5 pick, hopefuly they take him.