Matthew Schaefer, with Friday's decision by the New York Islanders, became the second Erie Otters chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in an NHL draft.

The New York Rangers had to wait 43 picks to make their first selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, but snagged what most experts considered one of the best values of the second round. Malcolm Spence, a forward from the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, was taken by the Blueshirts with pick No. 43 overall on June 28.

Erie Otters managing partner Jeremy Wood-Ross hopes Matthew Schaefer plays in the Ontario Hockey League again this winter. The presumptive No. 1 pick in Friday’s NHL Draft only played 17 games for the Otters last season before suffering a broken clavicle in World Junior Championship competition.