Top NHL prospect Matthew Schaefer returns from injury ahead of 2025 draft
Photo byMatthew Schaefer
is skating back into the spotlight. The dynamic 17-year-old defenseman, widely considered the front-runner to be selected first overall in the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft, has officially been cleared for contact as of May 1. After missing nearly four months of action with a broken clavicle, Schaefer is once again doing what he loves—hitting the ice, working out, and preparing for the biggest moment of his hockey career.
Back in action: Matthew Schaefer's injury recovery shifts draft expectations
Matthew Schaefer's
season was derailed on December 27 when he suffered a broken clavicle while representing Canada at the 2025
IIHF World Junior Championship
in Ottawa. He underwent surgery just days later and was sidelined for the remainder of the
OHL season
, including nine playoff games for the
Erie Otters
.
Despite missing 46 games, Schaefer remained determined and focused. "I'm healed, I'm working out, I'm on the ice, so everything's amazing, which is good," he said. 'I've been definitely dying to come back... it was so good to just get back on the ice with the guys. I'm clear [to play] now and everything's feeling good.'
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There was some hope he might return if Erie advanced to the third round of the playoffs, but the team's season ended in the second round with a sweep by the London Knights. Still, Schaefer's competitive fire never dimmed. "I was hoping," he admitted. "Obviously, if it was my decision, I would have been in Game 1 of the playoffs, but my shoulder wasn't ready... If the doctors said I was able to, I would have been right in there."
In his limited time this season—just 17 games due to an early bout with mononucleosis—Schaefer recorded an impressive 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) and a plus-21 rating.
He is one of 90 elite prospects invited to the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine, set for June 2–7 in Buffalo, where talent evaluators will have the chance to closely assess his skills and physical readiness.
The
New York Islanders
, who won the draft lottery and hold the No. 1 pick, could be eyeing him to bolster their blue line. 'They're a great team. I've heard a lot of great things about them... so we'll see what happens,' Schaefer said.
All eyes on Matthew Schaefer ahead of 2025 NHL draft
If chosen first overall, Schaefer would be the first Erie player to achieve that feat since Connor McDavid in 2015. A left-shot,
puck-moving defenseman
, he could be the perfect complement to right-handed Islanders star Noah Dobson. His next trip to New York might not be for a concert, but a new chapter in his hockey journey.
'There's so many great teams in the NHL and just having your name called by any of them would be an honor,' he said.
Also Read:
How Leon Draisaitl's lockdown defense is driving Edmonton Oilers' playoff success against Vegas Golden Knights
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