NHL News: NY Islanders surprise No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer with emotional gesture during first contract signing

For Matthew Schaefer, being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft wasn’t just about making history with the Erie Otters — it was about honoring a memory. His journey to the NHL was paved with pain, resilience, and deep personal loss.

The young defenseman had lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer, and just months before that, his billet mom, Emily Matson, to a tragic accident. So when the New York Islanders called his name, the moment was emotionally charged with more than draft-day excitement.

“I wish she could be here in person, but I know she’s smiling down,” Schaefer said before the draft, speaking about his late mother.

How did the Islanders honor Schaefer’s personal journey?

Instead of a typical signing ceremony, the Islanders orchestrated an emotional surprise. Understanding the depth of Schaefer’s loss, the team invited 20 children who had also lost their mothers to take part in the signing event. The children, unaware of their role, were the ones who presented Schaefer with his first NHL contract — a three-year, entry-level deal.

What’s next for Schaefer and the Islanders?

This isn’t the first time the Islanders have honored his story. On draft night, Schaefer received a custom team jersey featuring a pink cancer ribbon and the initials “J.S.” for Jennifer Schaefer — a gesture that moved both the player and his family deeply.

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“[The Islanders’ gesture] goes to that next level,” his brother said. “When you have an organization like that, you want to work hard.”

Through unimaginable loss, Matthew Schaefer has shown not only elite skill but also emotional strength — qualities that now define both his game and his identity as a future star in the NHL.