Matthew Schaefer

Matthew Schaefer was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Playing at the under-16 level for the Halton Hurricanes of the South-Central Triple A Hockey League in 2022-2023, Schaefer recorded 12 goals 20 assists in 25 games, earning player of the year honors. Following the season, he was selected first overall in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League draft by the Erie Otters. He became the third first overall pick in Otters history, after Ryan O'Reilly and Connor McDavid. Schaefer suffered some personal struggles during his rookie campaign, as both his mother and his billet mother died during the season. He would finish the year with three goals and 14 assists in 56 games, earning first team all-rookie honors. In international play, Schaefer represented Ontario at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, Schaefer as the team's captain, scored a game-winning goal in overtime of the finals to secure a 3-2 victory over Saskatchewan and a gold medal.