Hockey’s always been a game where destiny is written not just on ice but captured in glossy trading cards across the world. And now, one of the sport’s most promising young prospects, Matthew Schaefer, has taken a significant stride into this collector’s paradise, signing an exclusive multi-year deal with Upper Deck, the heavyweight champion of sports cards.
Yes, hockey fans and card collectors, trading cards just got a jolt of adrenaline, a slice of future etched on both sides of cardboard gold. As we stand on the cusp of the 2025 NHL Draft, this teenager’s pact with Upper Deck is all the chatter—and it’s not hard to see why.
Meet Matthew Schaefer, the 17-year-old whiz on skates expected to go as the top pick in the forthcoming NHL Draft. With a youthful face that reminds us of what it feels like to dream big and a game style that’s anything but juvenile, Schaefer is already spinning tales of ice-bound glory. He’s stepping into a role that few get to play—adding his name to the coveted affiliations under Upper Deck, a brand that’s known for immortalizing legends and future stars alike.
For Schaefer, this deal’s a homecoming of sorts. How many of us grew up leafing through decks of vibrant hockey cards, hoping for a rare find or the signature of a budding legend? Well, young Matthew did, spending countless afternoons with family, diving into colorful card packs, dreaming of the day he might see his own likeness amongst the greats. And now, that imagined day is real: he’s not just searching for legends anymore—he’s becoming one.
Upper Deck seems equally enthused about their new pick. Company president Jason Masherah has already sung praises about Schaefer, labeling him as “one of the most promising young talents in hockey today.” It’s a line straight out of a Hollywood script. You can almost see them clearing space in their “Young Guns” template folder, eager to slot in his stats and stats, their eyes already twinkling at his potential hob-nob with greatness.
But before he hits the commercial racks of your local sports store, consider Schaefer’s impressively packed resume. For a defenseman, he smashed through 22 points in just 17 games while playing for the Erie Otters this season—never mind the hurdles of injuries along the way. Not to mention, he was the franchise’s first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Draft. His accolades don’t stop at national boundaries either. Internationally, this wunderkind boasts a couple of gold medals from the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds, representing Team Canada with aplomb. Is there anything better than scoring both on home ice and parting international seas with effortless grace?
Collectors won’t have to wait long to get a smear of his talent packed inside acrylic displays. Prized items like signed pucks, jerseys, and photo prints are lined up to grace Upper Deck’s online store soon—a treasure trove for fans eager to cradle a piece of Schaefer’s magic. The first official trading cards will roll out once Schaefer is drafted into the NHL. So, collectors, brace yourselves. Shake out your display cases and dust off those binders. Make room in your armory because Schaefer’s coming to town.
And speaking of draft day glory, mark the calendar under June 27–28, when the 2025 NHL Draft converts the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles into a space of dreams. No doubt Schaefer will walk on stage with that humble grace, ready for both the spotlight and the heavy burden of potential in equal measure.
But as the clock ticks down and excitement swells, Matthew Schaefer isn’t just preparing to have a standout moment at the NHL Draft. Thanks to Upper Deck, he’s poised to cement his journey from a kid dreaming over card packs to a name embossed in shiny letters—the promise of greatness in mint condition. The hockey world waits eagerly, and now, so does his cardboard echo.