Fri Jun 27 23:40:00 UTC 2025: **Islanders Select Schaefer First Overall in Decentralized 2025 NHL Draft**
LOS ANGELES, CA – The New York Islanders kicked off the 2025 NHL Draft by selecting 17-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer from Hamilton, Canada, with the first overall pick. The draft, held virtually with teams operating from their home cities, saw 93 prospects attend the event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, joined by approximately 3,000 fans.
Schaefer, a left-shot defenseman, is lauded for his all-around game, combining size, skating ability, offensive prowess, and a high compete level. Despite a season hampered by mono and a broken clavicle, scouts see him as a potential top-pairing NHL defenseman.
The San Jose Sharks hold the second pick and are expected to select Saginaw Spirit captain Michael Misa, a highly skilled and creative center.
The draft is considered to be center-heavy at the top, with several intriguing forward prospects garnering significant attention, including Caleb Desnoyers, Anton Frondell, and Porter Martone. Desnoyers, coming off a QMJHL championship and playoff MVP award, is described as a special player with potential to be a franchise cornerstone. Frondell, a Swedish center, is considered a high-risk, high-reward pick due to inconsistencies in his game, however the scouts still believe he will perform well in the top six. Martone, a physical winger, is drawing comparisons to Corey Perry and the Tkachuk brothers, with scouts highlighting his skill and hockey sense.
The virtual draft format is a departure from previous years, where teams congregated at an NHL arena for in-person negotiations and selections. The league promises over 100 cameras will bring viewers closer to the front offices.
First Piper 