Matthew SCHAEFER

Defenseman
6’2/183
Left
Erie Otters/OHL

Related: An Early Look at the Top 5 Defenseman

Drafted first overall by the Erie Otters last spring, the 6-foot-1 defender is an incredible skater and is always actively engaged at both ends of the ice. Offensively, Schaefer has real potential, but he’s also positionally sound and aggressive in his own zone. He had a decent first year with Erie, registering 17 points, but there was still a lot of feeling out to be done. Schaefer currently has 18 points in 14 games with Erie of the OHL and played a critical role on Canada’s Gold Winning team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past fall. The raw talent is there for Schaefer to become a legitimate top-pairing defenseman in the NHL, and this tournament could help him prove why. He’s a heady two-way defenseman who skates well overbalanced and light edges, managing play in front of him. He’s got a good stick and an ability to close out on carriers, be disruptive, and then advance and steer play down the ice. Schaefer is expected to be one of the
make a push to make Canada’s U20 WJC team, and if he does, he could further improve his draft stock. Schaefer is described as a great all-around player, with good leadership ability and everything you would want in a top-pair defenseman. Matthew Schaefer has the potential to be a top-pair defenseman and is the best defenseman in this draft; some scouts have even suggested the possibility of him being the number 1 overall pick, depending on the team’s
needs.

Size/Strength Good
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Great
Puckhandling Excellent
Physical Play Good
Offensive Play Excellent
Defensive Excellent
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Excellent

Strengths

1. There isn’t a better, more deceptive skater on the blueline in this draft class, with his mobility being among the best we’ve seen in recent draft classes.
2. Schaefer is as good of a puck distributor as you’ll find; he thinks that game is at such an advanced level at his age, often luring opponents in before pulling off a deceptive deke and getting the puck where it needs to be.
3. Defensively, there isn’t a single defenseman in the OHL, that forwards hate to go up against 1-on-1 more in the league than him.

Weakness

1. His offensive production isn’t consistent.
2. Might take time to adapt to playing against NHL-level players, but once he gets comfortable, he’ll be a reliable top-pair guy.

Scouting Report

Matthew Schaefer was at his best at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge this week, earning player of the game honors in the 6-1 opening night win over the United States. Schaefer scored a goal and an assist, but he also had some key blocks – including one without a stick and just one glove. For starters, Schaefer earned some awards for top defenseman at the U-18 World Championship despite being a year younger than everyone else. From there, Schaefer was the best defender at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, helping to solidify himself as the clear top defender in the draft class. Schaefer struggled as a rookie after going No. 1 to the Erie Otters in 2023, but he was still eating minutes as a 16-year-old, often matching up against the league’s best and oldest players. Just 14 games in the 2024-25 campaign, Schaefer has already passed his point total for last season. Teams searching for a future No. 1 defenseman will be all over Schaefer. He’s all about the activation game: he’s looking to exploit you on the rush and take the puck down the ice. Schaefer is always pressuring players to make a quick move, giving them very little time to think before stealing the puck himself. There isn’t a better, more deceptive skater on the blueline in this draft class, with his mobility being among the best we’ve seen in recent draft classes. Schaefer is as good of a puck distributor as you’ll find, too, and it’s only a matter of time until he pops off in the OHL. That’s partly because he thinks that game is at such an advanced level at his age, often luring opponents in before pulling off a deceptive deke and getting the puck where it needs to be. Schaefer, boasts a high hockey IQ — a trait NHL teams significantly covet in young defefensemen, will definitely be at the top of many draft boards, especially when you combine the hockey sense with Schaefer’s elite skating ability. The combination makes the 6-foot-1 rearguard a rare threat, as not many players are able to think and play the game at the speed he does. Matthew Schaefer plays very similar to Brock Faber, the stud blueliner for the Minnesota Wild; an all around defenseman with all the makings of a top pair defenseman. There’s no question that Schaefer is one of the top names heading into the 2025 draft, though how early his name gets called is yet to be determined. He has the skillset and the mindset to be an impact player at the NHL level and will definitely be a coveted prospect. There is no doubt that Schaefer will be a top 5 pick in the 2025 Draft, and it is even a real possibility for him to challenge James Hagens for the number 1 pick.

Skill: Steady, All around defenseman, with Leadership ability

NHL Comparable: Brock Faber

NHL Potential: Top Pair, Two-Way Defenseman

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	Erie Otters	OHL	56	3	17
	Canada White U17 “C”	WHC-17	8	1	4
	Canada U18	WJC-18	7	1	5
2024-25	Canada U18 “C”	Hlinka Gretzky Cup	5	2	6
	Erie Otters	OHL	14	6	18