The New York Islanders have selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NHL draft. Schaefer was visibly emotional when he heard his name called at the top of the 2025 draft. A 17-year-old defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, Schaefer was ranked as the top North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the draft.

LOS ANGELES – The expectation always was for the Islanders to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first pick in the NHL Draft. That became a reality on Friday night at The Peacock Theater.

Schaefer played only 17 games last season before breaking his collarbone in December, but Schaefer’s acumen on both ends of the ice propelled him to the top of nearly all draft boards.