Top 2025 NHL Draft prospects Matthew Schaefer, Porter Martone set for big roles with Canada’s World Juniors team
No matter the year, there’s always a spotlight on the top prospects for any given NHL Draft. But Matthew Schaefer and Porter Martone have seen more than their fair share of attention over the past few months.
Schaefer started the year by winning gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup back in August. He missed the start of the OHL season due to mono, but he was easily the best player at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Ontario last month. Martone, meanwhile, turned his gold-medal run at the U-18 World Challenge to a 50-goal, 130-point pace with the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads while donning the captain’s C. He, too, had a nice showing at the CHL USA series.
Now, they’re set to make their debut with Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa as two of the youngest players on the team. Not the youngest – that belongs to 2026 draft phenom Gavin McKenna. But both should have big roles for a team looking to bounce back after an early quarterfinal exit a year ago.
You need to have a high level of maturity to handle the pressures that come along with being labeled a top prospect. Both Schaefer and Martone look destined to challenge for the top three spots at the NHL Draf. A lot of recent chatter has specifically pointed in Schaefer’s direction. Heading into the WJC, it’s all people want to talk about.
“You hear all these little things but you have to zone that out and just play the game and put your head down and get to work,” Schaefer told the media during selection camp. “That’s just outside noise, to be honest. Nothing really happens until the draft comes and your name gets called, so you really just focus on the game and take it day by day.”
Schaefer, a defender with the Erie Otters, is projected to be an all-situations defender for Canada. He played on the power play and the penalty kill during pre-tournament games. Schaefer has been a top-pairing blueliner at every level for Canada so far, so the coaching staff can trust him.
“I want to be an all-around player, whatever the coaches need me to play, but I think my game is a two-way defenseman that can produce offense and play defense whenever they need,” Schaefer said.
Martone likes having him around on his side of the ice as opposed to having to battle him in the OHL.
“He’s a tremendous hockey player, and a tremendous person as well,” Martone said. “You can see his skill set, what he does every day on the ice, it’s pretty amazing.”
Martone played in a few different spots for Canada during pre-tournament play. His natural chemistry with Steelheads teammate Carson Rehkopf. Martone is a good two-way threat with an excellent shot release, and he loves to throw the body. There’s a good chance we’ll see him spend plenty of time firing pucks on the power play.
As for his demeanor, Martone is as cool as a cucumber. Nothing seems to phase him on and off the ice. He’s got the swagger of the guy he likes to watch the most, Matthew Tkachuk.
“Pressure is a privilege. Not every kid gets to do this. I like trying to make the most of it,” Martone said.
“I’ve handled (the draft year pressure) well. This draft year comes once in a lifetime. I’ve had the opportunity to be in a lot of cool events and I’m just trying to have fun with it.”
Martone said he has been able to lean on Utah Hockey Club forward Barrett Hayton for advice heading into the World Juniors. Now 24, Hayton played in two tournaments back in 2019 and 2020, captaining the team to gold in the second year. Both are from the Peterborough, Ontario area and train together during the summer.
“He went through a lot of adversity there (injured shoulder) and came out and brought that (2020) team together and they won a gold medal,” Martone said. “So it’s nice talking with him in the summer and leaning on him for advice.”
Coach Dave Cameron said earlier this month that he’s not worried about having younger guys playing big roles on the team. He simply wants the best players available. Having both of these young 2025 NHL Draft stars playing a big role from the get-go shows just how highly rated they both are. They’ve had plenty of success with Hockey Canada already, but the World Juniors are a whole other animal.
But if anyone can handle the pressure of an event like this, it’s two teenagers who have had no issue breaking through the limelight this year.
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