Overview

• Schaefer’s three-year entry-level deal carries a $975,000 cap hit and up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses, per PuckPedia
• By signing, he relinquished NCAA eligibility and became the first Erie Otters alum taken No. 1 overall since Connor McDavid in 2015
• Under NHL rules, he may appear in nine regular-season games in 2025-26 without starting his contract clock or else be returned to the Otters
• The milestone signing coincided with his ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field before the Mets-Guardians game on Monday night
• He is set to report to Islanders training camp in mid-September with an opportunity to vie for a full-time roster spot