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The most emotional moment of the NHL draft involving first overall pick Matthew Schaefer
The most emotional moment on Friday night to kick off the 2025 NHL Entry Draft was shortly after the selection by the New York Islanders of Matthew Schaefer.
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft officially kicked off on Friday night, and not surprisingly, the New York Islanders chose defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the 1st overall selection.
Schaefer, who tragically lost his mother after a 2-year battle with breast cancer, was later moved to tears when the Islanders jersey he was given had a "Hockey Fights Cancer" logo on it.
Before the Draft, Schaefer paid tribute to his late mother by saying she was the strongest person he'd ever known and that she kept a positive attitude even while dealing with a deadly disease.
My mindset has changed a lot with everything. Just seeing what my mom went through, having a smile on her face with cancer kind of trying to bring her down, but she wouldn't let it. She's the strongest person I've ever known.
Schaefer also hopes to inspire young hockey players who could be going through difficult personal times as he did.
There's young kids that are going through tough times. A lot of people love to keep it in, and I want to try to put their minds at ease in any way. If love could have saved them, they would have lived forever. That's a good saying I go by. But everything happens for a reason in life. Makes me super strong. And I want to help people.
Schaefer was widely projected to go 1st overall, and after the Islanders won the NHL Draft Lottery last month, there wasn't much doubt as to who they'd select.
His scouting report via Elite Prospects reads as follows:
Schaefer controls games from the back end, making the play flow through him. An elite puck-rusher, he takes off from behind his net, using it as a shield against the forecheck, and traverses the defensive zone with a few long strides. He spots teammates in every direction, making both one-touch plays and elaborate, deceptive feeds. Attacking down, he grabs the spotlight and draws opponents to him, before turning and relaying the puck across.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
JUIN 28 | 226 ANSWERS The most emotional moment of the NHL draft involving first overall pick Matthew Schaefer Can Matthew Schaefer help bring the Islanders back to the playoffs next season? | ||
| Yes | 92 | 40.7 % |
| No | 134 | 59.3 % |
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