NEW YORK — The New York Islanders have officially signed Matthew Schaefer, their highly-anticipated No. 1 overall draft pick, to a three-year entry-level contract.
The contract signing was announced on Monday, coinciding with Schaefer`s appearance at Citi Field where he threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Mets` game against the Cleveland Guardians. Schaefer, a promising young defenseman, will celebrate his 18th birthday next month, shortly before the commencement of training camp.
Schaefer expressed his immense joy at Citi Field, stating, “It feels amazing. This is something I`ve dreamed of my entire life, and to achieve it in my first year is incredible. While there`s still much work ahead, playing in the NHL this season is my strong desire. I know it will demand a lot of hard work, but I believe I am ready.”
While this contract marks a significant step, it does not guarantee Schaefer a spot on the NHL roster for the upcoming season. The Islanders retain the option to assign him to the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League for further development.
Another potential opportunity for Schaefer is to represent Canada at the world junior championships, scheduled for late December and early January. Last year, his season was cut short by a collarbone injury sustained during the same tournament. He recently returned to competitive play at Canada`s world junior summer showcase.
Reflecting on his recent return to the ice, Schaefer commented, “It was crucial for me to get those games and repetitions in, especially since I hadn`t played in a considerable amount of time.”