Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Schaefer to miss three months with broken clavicle
Matthew Schaefer, one of the top prospects for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, underwent surgery on Monday to repair a broken clavicle while playing for Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship, and is expected to miss at least three months, according to NHL.com senior writer Mike Morreale.
Update on NHL Draft eligible D Matthew Schaefer: I can confirm the top projected top defenseman of the 2025 NHL Draft did sustain a broken clavicle (collarbone) in Friday's loss vs Latvia, had successful surgery on Monday in Ottawa (12/30), & will be out for at least 3 months.
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) January 2, 2025
Schaefer was injured in Canada’s Dec. 27 contest against Latvia, when after a scoring opportunity he crashed into the net at full speed and made contact with the post.
Canada's Matthew Schaefer went down the tunnel after running into the goal at full speed with his shoulder then hitting the boards pic.twitter.com/TJoyQ3Qcui
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) December 28, 2024
The injury is a blow to Canada’s chances at the tournament, but also his OHL club, the Erie Otters. Through 17 games this season, Schaefer has seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points.
In November, Daily Faceoff Associate Editor and Prospect Analyst Steven Ellis wrote that Schaefer is the best defender in the 2025 NHL Draft by a large margin, and may be the top prospect overall.
Matthew Schaefer at No. 1 for the 2025 #NHLDraft?
You better believe it.
Many scouts think it possible, and while there's still a ton of hockey to be played this season, Schaefer's early season play has been incredible impressive:https://t.co/vnwSct1kAu
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) November 28, 2024
“Teams searching for a future No. 1 defenseman will be all over Schaefer. He’s all about the activation game: he’s looking to exploit you on the rush and take the puck down the ice,” Ellis wrote. “Schaefer is always pressuring players to make a quick move, giving them very little time to think before stealing the puck himself.
“There isn’t a better, more deceptive skater on the blueline in this draft class, with his mobility being among the best we’ve seen in recent draft classes,” Ellis added.