### Future NHL Star Matthew Schaefer Prepares for Key Scouting Combine

BUFFALO — The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine, presented by Fanatics, is in full swing at KeyBank Center and LECOM Harborcenter, providing NHL teams a chance to assess top prospects for the upcoming Upper Deck NHL Draft.

Matthew Schaefer, projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, has 16 team interviews lined up this week. However, the Erie OHL defenseman also dedicated time to visit the Western New York Compassion Connection Grief Center on Monday, where he discussed coping strategies with grieving children and teenagers.

Schaefer's involvement in supporting grieving youth is deeply personal; he lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer in February 2024, just months after the passing of his billet mother, Emily Matson. “I’ve been through a lot and I want to help other people,” Schaefer shared. “Talking about my mom and keeping her legacy alive is important to me.”

Apart from his compassionate pursuits, the 17-year-old left-hander is eagerly anticipating the opportunities this week’s combine offers. “The combine is about creating relationships and reconnecting with friends you’ve played against all season,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 183 pounds, reclaimed his form after a serious injury — a broken clavicle — sustained in December 2024 during the IIHF World Junior Championship. He recently resumed full-contact training and guided by former NHL defenseman Mark Giordano, aims to build strength during the offseason.

The Islanders, who hold the No. 1 pick after winning the NHL Draft Lottery, are among the teams set to interview Schaefer. He will also be training alongside Islanders defenseman and fellow Erie alumnus Adam Pelech.

Other notable prospects include James Hagens and Porter Martone. Hagens, who amassed 37 points in his freshman year at Boston College, grew up as an Islanders fan on Long Island. Although being drafted by his hometown team would be special, he remains open to any opportunity in the NHL.

Martone, a top 10 hopeful with Brampton in the OHL, credits his unique training aid, a wooden goalie named ‘Jeff,’ for his improvement. The 18-year-old winger is excited about the combine, viewing it as a vital step before the NHL Draft.

Prospects from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, including Will Moore, Jack Murtagh, and Cole McKinney, are also in attendance. Each has committed to top collegiate programs and relished the rigorous environment that prepared them for this pivotal moment.

The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine is promising to be a definitive platform for these young talents to showcase their readiness for the next big stage in their careers.