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OHL: Matthew Schaefer

Matthew Schaefer (D, L, 6’2″, 185, Erie Otters, 09/05/2007)

Comments: Matthew Schaefer is an elite offensive defenseman with the potential to be a game-breaking talent at the NHL level. He possesses exceptional offensive instincts, elite puck skills, and pro-level vision, making him a standout contributor in transition and offensive situations. His leadership as Team Canada’s captain at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup demonstrated his ability to handle significant responsibility, averaging over 26 minutes per game and excelling in all situations. While his offensive game is polished and highly impactful, his defensive consistency and strength remain areas for development.

Strengths

Puck Skills and Offensive Instincts: Schaefer consistently creates offense, showcasing elite passing accuracy and vision. He can make plays under pressure and thrives in transition, either leading the rush or acting as a secondary option. Effective on the power play, utilizing deception and angle changes to generate shooting and passing lanes. Skating and Mobility: Smooth and dynamic skater with excellent first-step acceleration and edgework. Uses agility to evade pressure and find open space, both in defensive retrievals and offensive zone attacks. Hockey IQ: Demonstrates strong decision-making in high-pressure scenarios, showing composure and awareness. Offensively, he rarely telegraphs passes and creates opportunities for teammates through positioning and timing. Leadership and Work Ethic: Captained Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, showcasing maturity and a team-first mentality. Thrived under heavy ice time and adapted to different defensive partners and roles throughout the tournament.

Areas for Improvement

Defensive Consistency: Gap control on the rush and defensive zone coverage can be inconsistent, occasionally allowing skilled opponents to create opportunities. Can establish better physical presence and maintain positioning during heavy cycle situations. Strength and Physicality: At 185 lbs, he is still developing the strength to consistently win battles along the boards and in front of the net. Developing a stronger, more physical defensive posture will enhance his effectiveness against bigger, stronger competition. Shot Velocity: While his shooting mechanics are sound, adding velocity to his shot will make him a greater threat from the blue line, especially on the power play. Consistency at Junior Level: Recent games with Erie in the OHL showed flashes of brilliance but lacked sustained dominance. Needs to push the pace and impose himself more consistently to meet top-pick expectations.

Projection Matthew Schaefer has all the tools to become a top-pairing, two-way defenseman in the NHL. His offensive instincts and puck skills are elite, and his skating and hockey IQ are NHL-caliber. While his defensive game is developing and his strength must improve, these areas are addressable with time and physical maturity. With proper development, Schaefer projects as a high-impact player who can excel in all situations at the National League level.

Draft Outlook: Top-5 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Player Comparison: Miro Heiskanen – Dynamic skater with elite offensive upside and the potential to develop into a well-rounded defender.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

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