Scouting Report
EVALUATED 29/11/2024
Will Scouch
Regional Scout - USA
If the media seating area were a cartoon character, the speech bubble above everyone’s head would have certainly just said “Matthew Schaefer”. It was a constant chatter of oohs and aahs with discussion of him usurping the first overall selection throughout. In my view he showed extremely well, working as a calm, collected possession player working well off of Jackson Smith’s more aggressive brand. That said, Schaefer turned on the jets a few times, putting possessions on his back and driving up the ice with remarkable confidence and deception, shredding the US defenses on a few occasions. Evasive, deceptive, mobile and showcasing plenty of skill, Schaefer was absolutely rock solid almost every minute he was out on the ice. He attracted plenty of pressure himself and got to the net far more than a typical defenseman and it was simply a joy to watch for much of the game. Making good reads in almost all situations, he was beaten a few times on defensive rushes and on some board battles, but by and large he was great, stamping himself firmly in the discussion for one of the first names off the board at the 2025 NHL Draft.
Player Card
- All Data is derived via 5v5 per 60 minutes rate displayed in percentile format.
- Data Courtesy of In Slat.
SIGNED:
Erie Otters
20/04/2023
LEAGUE PREDICTION
-
CHL
Confirmed
100%
TEAM PREDICTION
TIMELINE
- 2023
20/05/2023
Erie Otters sign Matthew Schaefer
- 2023
20/04/2023
Erie Otters select Matthew Schaefer at the 2023 OHL Priority Draft
