New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche speaks out on Matthew Schaefer and top draft pick decision
New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche has finally spoken out about the team's decision to keep the first-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. In a new interview published on August 6, 2025, Darche said he never seriously thought about trading the pick.
He made it clear that the Islanders were set on picking 17-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer, one of the top young hockey talents in the world. In a conversation with NHL insider Jeff Marek, Darche said only a few teams called to ask what his plans were. 'There was never an actual offer,' Mathieu Darche said. 'A few teams just asked, 'Hey, what are your plans?' and I told them straight, I'm picking.'
Mathieu Darche trusted Islanders' scouts on Matthew Schaefer pick
The 2025 NHL Draft was held in June, and Mathieu Darche said the team's scouts were sure from early on that Matthew Schaefer was the player they wanted.
Even though Darche had only recently become the general manager, he trusted the scouting team fully.
— rtaub_ (@rtaub_)
'So I wasn't moving the pick,'
Darche explained.
'I didn't know the player as well as our scouts. But they were all-in on him.'
The pick, which came after a lucky draft lottery win, was originally earned by the Islanders' head of scouting, Ken Morrow. Darche made sure to credit Morrow for putting the team in position to land Schaefer.
After watching footage and meeting Schaefer, Darche said the choice became clear.
'I've seen Matthew before,'
he said.
'He got hurt during the Junior World Championship, but once I took the job and watched more of him, it was a clear cut. He was going to be our guy.'
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Matthew Schaefer's maturity and past struggles impressed Mathieu Darche
After meeting Matthew Schaefer at the NHL Combine earlier this year, Mathieu Darche was deeply impressed by the young player's attitude. The combine took place in June 2025, just weeks before the draft.
'The kid is an impressive young man,' Darche said. 'His maturity is beyond his years.'
Matthew Schaefer, who lost his mother at a young age, has shown great strength off the ice as well. Darche said the way Schaefer has handled life's challenges made him an even stronger pick for the Islanders.
Now, all eyes are on whether Matthew Schaefer will make his NHL debut in fall 2025.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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