The New York Islanders made a monumental selection by taking defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This marked the franchise’s first No. 1 overall selection since 2009.
Despite playing only 17 games last season due to a broken collarbone, Schaefer’s blend of offensive skill and defensive IQ made him a clear top choice. The 6-foot-2 Erie Otters standout was widely viewed as an elite puck-moving blueliner with a complete two-way game.
Schaefer’s draft moment turned deeply emotional when he kissed a pink ribbon on his Islanders jersey, a tribute to his mother, Jennifer, who passed away from cancer 16 months ago. The team added her initials to the jersey in a heartfelt gesture.
Schaefer broke down in tears on stage, acknowledging his family and expressing gratitude for the Islanders’ faith in him. His resilience in the face of personal loss was praised by Islanders GM Mathieu Darche, who called him an “exceptional human being” and an “unbelievable hockey player.”
Going second overall, center Michael Misa was selected by the San Jose Sharks. The high-scoring Saginaw Spirit captain amassed 134 points in just 65 OHL games last season and hopes to crack the NHL lineup this year. At No. 3, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Anton Frondell, a skilled Swedish forward with a strong two-way game.
His draft stock rose significantly thanks to his performances with Djurgården in Sweden, making him the eighth Swedish player ever to be drafted in the top three.
Matthew Schaefer (NHL)Islanders, Flyers, Penguins Lead Busy Draft Night with Bold Trades and Top Picks
The Islanders made headlines again by securing two more top-17 picks, drafting Swedish forward Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins were also highly active.
The Flyers picked Porter Martone sixth and traded up to grab Jack Nesbitt at No. 12. The Penguins executed two trades to land Benjamin Kindel, Bill Zonnon, and William Horcoff, giving them three first-rounders and adding offensive depth.
Utah Mammoth moved up the draft lottery to select center Caleb Desnoyers fourth overall. Nashville took power forward Brady Martin fifth and later traded up to add defenseman Cameron Reid at No. 21. The Anaheim Ducks made a high-risk, high-reward selection at No. 10 by taking 6-foot-5 forward Roger McQueen, who is dealing with a back injury but possesses elite potential.
Hagens Headlines Bruins Pick as Draft Delivers Emotion, Surprises, and Remote Format
The Boston Bruins picked up a local favorite, James Hagens, with the seventh overall pick. Once a consensus No. 1 prospect, Hagens slid slightly but landed in a market where he fits naturally. The pick announcement, made by Adam Sandler in character as Happy Gilmore, delighted fans and Hagens alike. Known for his finesse, smooth skating, and vision, Hagens brings elite playmaking to the Bruins’ pipeline.
Two goalies were taken in the first round for the first time since 2021. Columbus picked Pyotr Andreyanov from Russia at No. 20, while San Jose added Joshua Ravensbergen with the 30th pick. The Penguins stirred the most surprise by selecting Kindel at No. 11—much earlier than projected—and then trading up again for Horcoff, the son of former NHLer Shawn Horcoff. These aggressive moves underline Pittsburgh’s desire to rebuild quickly.
This year’s draft lacked the traditional live floor setup, with most team executives operating remotely. Instead of in-person interactions, draftees were escorted to a video room behind the stage to be introduced via videoconference. Though the format was new, the emotions and drama remained unchanged, particularly for top pick Matthew Schaefer, whose journey through personal tragedy to hockey’s highest stage was the emotional centerpiece of the night.
