If selected, could the NY Islanders look to have Matthew Schaefer play in the NCAA?

In 27 days, Mathieu Darche will make what is likely his most important decision as General Manager of the NY Islanders. It’s not often your franchise has the first overall pick, and in a year where there isn’t a clear-cut top pick, there’s an importance to make the right decision.

As things look, Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters in the OHL is looking more and more like one prospect who has separated himself from the pack.

Schaefer in the NCAA?

Schaefer, who is one of the youngest players in the 2025 NHL Draft, doesn’t turn 18 until September 5th. His age, along with the little hockey he played this year after being diagnosed with Mono before the start of Erie’s season and breaking his collarbone in the World Junior Championship, Schaefer hasn’t seen much ice time since he was 16.

Though the hope for a first overall pick is that they can immediately step into a lineup, if the Isles do select him first overall, there may need to be patience from the organization in his development. 

For the first time, CHL players can enroll at American Universities and continue their careers in the NCAA.

We’ve seen several CHL prospects sign to play in the NCAA this off-season, including Malcolm Spence (2025), Cole Reschny (2025), Henry Mews (Calgary), and Keaton Verhoeff (the 2nd-ranked prospect in 2026). So could Schaefer be a candidate to jump to the NCAA?

Just about every team in the nation would be vying for Schaefer's services. Potential options include Boston University, under Jay Pandolfo and alongside Cole Eiserman, or with Denver University, coached by David Carle, a likely NHL head coach shortly.

Schaefer will likely need at least another season to develop, so why not allow him to play against tougher competition to get him ready for the speed and strength of the NHL?