NHL

NY Islanders Bank Their Future on 17-Year-Old Top Pick Matthew Schaefer

The young defenseman from Ontario has a chance to make a good impression in development camp this week, and maybe have a shot at the NHL roster in October.
NY Islanders Bank Their Future on 17-Year-Old Top Pick Matthew Schaefer
Matthew Schaefer at the New York Islanders' development camp at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, N.Y., on June 30, 2025. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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June 27 is a day New York Islanders’ fans won’t soon forget.

The suspense is over. Less than one week ago at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Islanders rookie general manager Mathieu Darche gave his stamp of approval to the club’s selecting defenseman Matthew Schaefer with its first overall pick in the National Hockey League Entry Draft. It was back in May that the Islanders won the draft lottery, positioning themselves to pick from a horde of talented amateurs across North America.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.