Overview

• The Islanders selected Schaefer first overall on June 27 in Los Angeles, marking their first No. 1 pick since 2009.
• A pink breast cancer ribbon adorned his jersey to honor his mother Jennifer, who died of the disease in February 2024.
• Schaefer registered seven goals and 15 assists in 17 games with the OHL’s Erie Otters before a World Junior clavicle injury ended his season.
• The league conducted its first non-pandemic decentralized draft after a 26-6 vote in favor of remote team selections.
• New York, which finished last season 35-35-12 and missed the playoffs, views Schaefer as a key piece in shoring up its defensive pipeline.