The 2025 NHL Draft is finally just a day away, and young defenseman Matthew Schaefer might be on his way to becoming the youngest top-ten prospect of this year, and the number one draft pick, centered on by the New York Islanders.
But Schaefer’s journey to this draft hasn’t been easy. From a clavicle injury he incurred during the IIFH World Junior Championship, which kept him away from the rink for three months, to his battle with mononucleosis, and the loss of the Erie Otters’ owner, Jim Waters, the 17-year-old has withstood several adversities on his way to the top.
Throughout this journey, Schaefer had the support of his parents. Although he lost his mother to breast cancer in February 2024, Schaefer translated his grief into on-ice brilliance. With the draft day imminent and the curiosity about the Otters’ defenseman reaching a fever pitch, here is everything you need to know about Schaefer’s father and late mother.
“My Mindset Has Changed a Lot With Everything”: Who Are Matthew Schaefer’s Parents?
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Schaefer played for the Halton Hurricanes and the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs before entering the OHL. Since then, he has even gone on to represent Team Canada at the U17 and U20 levels. His mother, Jennifer Schaefer, helped him in every step.
After Jennifer Schaefer’s passing, Matthew still found the courage to return to the ice. And this is all because of Jennifer, who had a laugh that could light up a room. Even when she was disoriented and rehabilitated at the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Center, she still gathered herself to give Schaefer a kiss when he asked for one through his tears.
“I obviously miss her so much,” he said. When talking about his mother, he mentions, “She was definitely one of the strongest people I know because she had to go through so much. And, of course, you never want to see your mom go through that.”
The loss hit harder because it closely followed the tragic death of Schaefer’s billet mother, Emily Matson, by suicide.
However, with his mother no longer by his side, Matthew’s father, Todd Schaefer, is trying his best to support his son as he ventures into the NHL. Todd cannot help but marvel at his son’s resilience, but acknowledges that it comes naturally to the 17-year-old. “I think it’s just who he is. When his billet mom passed and then my wife got sick, I didn’t know how he was going to handle it.”
Todd continues with, “I didn’t know whether he was going to cave and want to be home with me all the time. There were times I lay in bed with him and we talked all night. I wanted his feelings and emotions to come to the surface; I didn’t want him burying anything.” But Schaefer emerged from his pain and gave his best. Now he is poised to be the most sought-after on draft day.
It is evident how much Todd and Jennifer have helped Matthew become the prospect he is today. As he heads to the NHL Draft on June 27, he will undoubtedly be thinking about his parents.
