Matthew Schaefer, a 17-year-old defenseman from Erie in the Ontario Hockey League, is bracing himself for an emotional night at the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft. His mother, Jennifer, passed away due to breast cancer two months ago, and he also lost his billet mother, Emily Matson, who died by suicide earlier that year.
Schaefer hopes to hear his name called during the first round on Friday at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theatre. The New York Islanders, as the top pick in the lottery, will select him for the fifth time and first since 2009. Schaefer expressed his excitement about meeting his friends and family who were also drafted.
“The biggest thing I’m looking forward to is just hearing your name called and seeing all your friends’ names get called,” he said. “You play with them growing up, you win tournaments, you play against them… To see a lot of your friends and yourself get drafted will be pretty cool.”
Schaefer’s thoughts will likely be with his mother as the draft unfolds, but he aims to focus on the positive aspect – hearing his name called alongside his peers.
Source: https://www.nhl.com/news/matthew-schaefer-will-have-late-mom-on-his-mind-at-2025-nhl-draft