NY Islanders owner prayed with priest at dinner before winning 2025 NHL Draft Lottery

Jon Ledecky knew the New York Islanders didn't have much of a chance of winning the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

So, before it started, he asked for some help from above.

The Islanders co-owner recalled Tuesday how he was having dinner with a priest on the night of the lottery, which ultimately gave New York the No. 1 pick and the opportunity to select Matthew Schaefer.

"At the time, we didn't think we had much of a chance of winning the draft," Ledecky said during an appearance at Long Island University with ESPN Radio's Alan Hahn. "And I was out having dinner with a priest, and I knew the draft was at 7:18. So at 7:15, I said, Father, would you mind making a prayer for the draft?"

The request worked out pretty well.

The Islanders entered the lottery with only a 3.5% chance of landing the top selection. Minutes after the prayer, Ledecky said his phone began lighting up with messages.

"All of the sudden my phone started [dinging] 100 times," Ledecky said. "I said, Father, I think we won the draft. And of course, he now thinks he was the reason we won the draft, which is great."

The Islanders used the pick on Schaefer, who has quickly become one of the faces of the franchise.

Ledecky said Schaefer has "revitalized the team's fan base," while also praising his impact away from the ice.

Schaefer helped develop the idea for the Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Center, named for his mother, who died of breast cancer in 2024. The center will provide a place for children while their parents undergo cancer treatment.

Ledecky told students his responsibility as an owner is to remain a "steward of the franchise" and allow hockey personnel to make hockey decisions.

Sometimes, apparently, that also means knowing when to ask for a prayer.

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