Fans Moved by Islanders’ Meaningful Gesture Toward Matthew Schaefer originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Islanders got their man in the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, as they used their No. 1 pick on defenseman Matthew Schaefer. It has been quite a ride to “The Show” for the 17-year-old Schaefer.
Back in December, he suffered a broken clavicle injury while representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Months before, Schaefer lost his mother to breast cancer.
It would have been a greater night for Schaefer if his mom were around to witness him become just the fifth defenseman taken first overall in the NHL draft since 2000.
For their part, the Islanders put a pink ribbon on the jersey that was presented to Schaefer on the stage after the pick was announced.
The pink ribbon symbolizes awareness for breast cancer, and its appearance on Schaefer’s Isles uniform struck an emotional chord with fans.
An emotional moment as Matthew Schaefer dons the Islanders sweater for the first time đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/SfqQpwohEe
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2025
“#isles ensuring there was a hockey fights cancer ribbon on the sweater was a first class gesture,” said a fan on X.
Another one said: “The #Isles not only put a cancer ribbon on Schaefer’s jersey, but also embroidered the inside of his collar with his mother’s initials “JS”. Amazing touch. 💜”
From an X user: “The #Isles putting a cancer ribbon on Schaefer’s jersey was an incredible touch. There are a lot more than Islanders fans rooting for him already.”
“Man- that ribbon got me 🙏,” a social media user posted.
Via a different commenter: “The breast cancer ribbon on the sweater is an amazing touch by
@Nyislanders. ”
Said another: “Him kissing the breast cancer awareness ribbon broke my heart 💔 What a beautiful moment. 🥺”
Schaefer joins the Islanders, who missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2024-25 NHL season after going 35-35-12 for 82 points.
Before New York took him as its first pick overall since John Tavares in 2009, Schaefer played for 17 games with the Erie Otters and gathered seven goals with 15 assists for 22 points.
Related: Matthew Schaefer’s Immediate Reaction to Being Drafted No. 1 Overall
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
