Trading cards have taken a significant stride towards exclusivity in the hockey realm as Upper Deck, the acclaimed sports memorabilia manufacturer, scores a game-changing contract with the Canadian defensive prodigy, Matthew Schaefer. Just shy of his eighteenth birthday, Schaefer has secured an exclusive multi-year agreement with the card company, propelling him into the limelight even before he dons a professional NHL jersey.
Matthew Schaefer, whose name has been echoing in hockey circles as the expected number one pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, now not only stars on the ice but also becomes a coveted collector’s dream. This move by Upper Deck grants them exclusive rights to produce Schaefer trading cards and memorabilia, ensuring that anyone eager to add a piece of Schaefer to their collection will have to look to them—and only them.
For Schaefer, this deal is a personal milestone that resonates on a nostalgic level. Reflecting on his childhood enthusiasm for hockey cards, Schaefer shared memories of evenings spent with family, deeply immersed in the world of trading cards. Those familiar crinkling sounds of packets opening and the thrill of finding a treasured card are experiences he’s intimately acquainted with. To now be part of that world, quite literally, is a remarkable twist of fate.
Upper Deck’s excitement over this promising partnership is palpable. Jason Masherah, the President of Upper Deck, exudes confidence and pride in signing Schaefer. “Matthew Schaefer is undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today,” Masherah commented, hinting at the high hopes riding on Schaefer’s shoulders. With templates for the collectible and highly sought-after Young Guns cards possibly at the ready, Upper Deck is gearing up to ride the Schaefer wave with gusto.
The young defenseman has already proven his mettle on the rink, most notably with the Erie Otters. Despite a season interrupted by injuries, Schaefer has maintained impressive stats with 22 points over a mere 17 games—a feat that underscores his on-ice prowess. And that’s just the domestic front; internationally, Schaefer has been equally dominant. Boasting gold medals from the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds under his belt with Team Canada, his accolades are mounting as rapidly as his potential career milestones.
For the avid collectors and fans chomping at the bit to integrate Schaefer’s memorabilia into their collections, the wait won’t be too lengthy. By the end of the month, signed pucks, jerseys, and limited edition prints bearing Schaefer’s scrawl will bolster Upper Deck’s offerings. As per tradition, trading cards will roll out once Schaefer officially steps onto NHL ice, a launch that promises to generate significant buzz. Whether you’re an aficionado with a meticulously organized binder or someone dabbling in the world of sports memorabilia, Schaefer’s exclusive cards are guaranteed contenders for new favorite additions.
The annual NHL Draft, set to take place at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 27–28, 2025, serves as the stage for Schaefer’s forthcoming official NHL debut. It’s an event eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike, with Schaefer’s name anticipated to be the first called. This rite of passage into the NHL signals a new chapter in Schaefer’s burgeoning career, backed by the palpable expectation that comes with such a promising start.
Early stages of a career are often punctuated by strategic partnerships that set the tone for future success, and in the case of Matthew Schaefer, his collaboration with Upper Deck is poised to be pivotal. Merging athleticism with marketability, the dual charms of Schaefer’s on-ice talent and off-ice charisma ensure that both fans and collectors will have much to anticipate in the years to come.
Schaefer’s pathway to the NHL, illuminated by his penchant for the limelight and ability to thrill spectators, is well paved. Thanks to Upper Deck, enthusiasts won’t just watch Schaefer rise—they’ll be able to tangibly hold onto every milestone, each captured forever in the form of a glossy card or signed memento. As Schaefer gears up for a career that promises to be nothing short of spectacular, Upper Deck similarly prepares to ride the wave of excitement, cementing their role as the exclusive purveyor of Schaefer’s legacy.