Matthew Schaefer, whom the Erie Otters will choose with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft, poses with his family during the team's April 20, 2023, event to announce his impending selection. Posing with Schaefer, a defenseman, are (left to right) his father Todd; his mother, Jennifer; and his brother, Johnny.

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Who Are Matthew Schaefer’s Parents and Siblings? All About the Parents and Brother of the 2025 NHL Draft Top Prospect

Matthew Schaefer is the consensus number one overall pick at the draft this year

Matthew Schaefer, one of the top projected draft picks at this year’s NHL draft in Los Angeles, is an ice hockey player hailing from Canada. Schaefer is widely regarded as the top defenseman in the draft, and before missing out most of the season last year, he put up 22 points from just 17 games, highlighting his ability to impact the offense as well.

The left-handed defender has played the past two seasons of junior hockey for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Scheafer has also represented the Canadian national team at the junior levels.

As we approach draft night, let us explore Matthew Schaefer’s life off the ice rink and get to know a little about his parents and brother, who have no doubt played a significant role in his development.

Matthew Schaefer’s Parents

Matthew Schaefer was born to Todd and Jennifer Schaefer on September 5, 2007, in Hamilton, Ontario. The 17-year-old leaned heavily on his family for support throughout his hockey career and shares an excellent relationship with them.

Matthew Schaefer is built different.

The 17-year-old defenseman played just 21 games this season—and is still the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Scouts didn’t blink. They just nodded.

Schaefer has everything NHL teams covet:
📏 6’2”, elite edgework
🧠… pic.twitter.com/GArmwNKebT
— The Gambler's Gazette (@GamblerGazette) June 25, 2025

Matthew Schaefer Father

Matthew Schaefer’s father is Todd Schaefer. He has been the main support system for his sons following the death of their mother. While there is not much information about him, his paternal bond with Matthew can be highlighted through his interview shared on the Sportsnet channel on YouTube.

Matthew’s father touched upon the fact that there were times when the two would just talk throughout the night as his son expressed his feelings during the difficult time after the passing of his mother. Schaefer senior also expressed his pride in the way his son has dealt with all the adversity, even at such a young age.

“After winning a gold medal at the 2024 Under-18 World Championship with Canada, two months after his mom passed, there he was on national news smiling ear-to-ear, talking about his mom, talking about her having a front row seat in heaven. We’re in the other room listening to this crying our eyes out, but he just goes to a happy place, and it comes naturally to him.”

Also Read: What Time Does the NHL Draft Start Tonight

Matthew Schaefer Mother

Jennifer Schaefer was the mother of Matthew Schaefer. Unfortunately, she lost a two-year battle against breast cancer and passed away in February 2024. Matthew shared a very special bond with his mother, and always keeps her close in his heart.

Schaefer has stated earlier that his mother always supported him and his brother with their hockey dreams. She would suit up as the goalie with the equipment and everything as the brothers took their shots.

It is in his mother’s honor that he kept pursuing his goal of making it as a professional hockey player, and she will no doubt be in his heart the moment his name is called on draft night. In another interview with Sportsnet, Schaefer spoke about his mother always being with him in spirit, even if she cannot be there in person.

“I love talking about my mom, because I talk about the happy memories instead of the sad memories. She’s always with me in spirit. I know she has a front-row seat to every game. I just want to carry on her legacy and character and the person she was.”

"I miss her so much. I know she's always with me though." ❤️

Top prospect Matthew Schaefer joins @GenePrincipe and reflects on losing his mom to cancer, and the perspective he’s gained from it. pic.twitter.com/2MRYA3HInx
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 9, 2025

Matthew Schaefer’s Brother

Johnny Schaefer is Matthew Schaefer’s brother. Johnny is nine years older than Matthew. During an interview, the boys’ father mentioned how Johnny always wanted a brother to play with, and while they tried, it took several years until their younger son was born.

Johnny himself was a hockey player as well, and it was he who made Matthew stronger mentally. Being the older brother, he would never take things easy, roughing up his little brother, but that was what instilled toughness in Matthew from a very young age.

The young teenager from Canada has come a long way since his days playing in the garage with his mother and brother. But as draft day approaches, Schaefer will begin a new chapter in his hockey phase, one that is sure to make his family swell with pride.

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Devavrat Kulkarni

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!