Otters Select Defenseman Matthew Schaefer First Overall

The Erie Otters selected Halton Hurricanes defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft. 

"Yeah it was crazy, I'm still processing it through my head cause there were so many good players that could have went first overall and I'm so humbled and honored that it was me," said Matthew Schaefer

Schaefer spent the past season with the Hurricanes scoring 12 goals and collecting 32 points. He also had six goals and 14 points in the playoffs. He will not turn 16 years old until September. 

"He's mature beyond his years and I think those are the sorts of things that you're looking for in those intangibles," said Erie Otters general manager Dave Brown. When you see him on the ice you might think back to somebody that we jut had recently that is playing in Anaheim. To beat this guy you're going to have to beat him two or three times down the ice."

The Otters' top pick also scored the game-winning goal in double-overtime for Team Ontario in the Canada Winter Games. 

Schaefer's older brother Jonathon played 183 games for the Niagara Ice Dogs. 

He [Jonathon] said work as hard as you can and just focus on working hard and doing your thing," said Schaefer.

This is the third instance in team history the Otters held the first overall selection. They selected Connor McDavid with the top pick in 2012 and Ryan O'Reilly first overall in 2007.

"I mean I'm honored. They're such great players," said Schaefer. "They have went through this organization and moved on to go to the NHL and they're big time players, so I'm honored." 

The first round of the OHL Draft will begin Friday at 7 p.m. with Rounds 1-3 on Opening Night. The draft will conclude with rounds 4-15 on Saturday.