To describe 2025’s top defenseman prospect, Matt Schaefer, let’s just call him a driver from the back end that tilts the ice in his team’s favor. Blessed with four-way mobility, this agile defenseman uses his recognition defensively to transition pucks, go on to the attack, and rapidly find open space anywhere it appears, even down low by the net. This full package of fast will rocket him into the NHL. The low bar will be as an impactful 2nd pairing defender. Most teams see a lot higher projection. A workhorse of the Erie Otters and in the Hlinka-Gretzky 8 Nations Tourney, where he was a constant threat offensively and a kid whose skill level in the defensive zone placed him heads above any of the competition as a two way defender. He led the way in his end and the neutral zone. He cleared rebounds, blocked shots and gobbled loose pucks and made really good zone exits with crisp outlet passes or by using his quick acceleration to skate pucks out. He made several turnovers and transitioning the puck back up the ice, due to his tight gaps. A continual threat in the offensive zone, using his creativity and ability to get pucks through to the net, or teammates.
–-Bill Płaczek—
