Islanders Draft Schaefer, Honors Mother With Emotional Tribute/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Matthew Schaefer became the Islanders’ No. 1 NHL draft pick, paying tribute to his late mother with a pink ribbon on his jersey. The talented defenseman called the moment emotional, vowing not to disappoint his new team. His selection headlined a dramatic first round in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tears welled in Matthew Schaefer’s eyes as he slipped on the New York Islanders’ blue-and-orange jersey after being selected No. 1 overall in the NHL draft. But it was the pink ribbon sewn onto his left shoulder that carried the deepest meaning—a tribute to his late mother, Jennifer, who died of breast cancer just 16 months ago.
As the crowd watched, Schaefer kissed the ribbon and pointed skyward, delivering a moving salute to the woman he credits for shaping him into the man—and the hockey player—he is today.
The 17-year-old defenseman from Hamilton, Ontario, becomes the first No. 1 pick for the Islanders since 2009, bringing elite puck-moving skills and solid defensive instincts honed over two seasons with the OHL’s Erie Otters. Despite a collarbone injury limiting him to just 17 games last season, Schaefer still led draft boards with his dynamic two-way play.
The Islanders honored Schaefer’s journey by adding the pink ribbon and his mother’s initials to his jersey, underscoring the franchise’s reputation for class and compassion.
Islanders GM Mathieu Darche said the choice was about talent first—but also about character.
Schaefer joins a group of notable top defenseman picks, including Owen Power in 2021 and fellow Erie alum Connor McDavid, who went No. 1 in 2015.
The first round was full of high-profile selections and bold moves. San Jose selected high-scoring forward Michael Misa second overall, while Swedish forward Anton Frondell went third to Chicago. Misa, who dominated the OHL with 62 goals last season, could compete for an NHL roster spot immediately.
The Flyers traded up to pick forward Jack Nesbitt at No. 12 after grabbing Porter Martone at No. 6. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, maneuvered to claim three first-rounders, selecting Benjamin Kindel, Bill Zonnon, and William Horcoff.
Elsewhere:
This year’s draft also featured a format shift. Teams operated largely remotely, leading to mixed reviews from fans, though executives praised the smoother pace.
Schaefer’s selection capped a night of celebration and emotion in Los Angelesa poignant reminder that even at the highest levels of sport, some moments transcend hockey.
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