<p>Matthew Schaefer, one of the top prospects for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, underwent surgery on Monday to repair a broken clavicle while playing for Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship, and is expected to miss at least three months, according to <a href="https://x.com/mikemorrealeNHL/status/1874867946771894657"><em>NHL.com</em> senior writer Mike Morreale</a>. </p>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Update on NHL Draft eligible D Matthew Schaefer: I can confirm the top projected top defenseman of the 2025 NHL Draft did sustain a broken clavicle (collarbone) in Friday's loss vs Latvia, had successful surgery on Monday in Ottawa (12/30), &amp; will be out for at least 3 months.</p>
<p>— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikemorrealeNHL/status/1874867946771894657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Schaefer was injured in Canada’s Dec. 27 contest against Latvia, when after a scoring opportunity he crashed into the net at full speed and made contact with the post. </p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="137"></div>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Canada's Matthew Schaefer went down the tunnel after running into the goal at full speed with his shoulder then hitting the boards <a href="https://t.co/TJoyQ3Qcui">pic.twitter.com/TJoyQ3Qcui</a></p>
<p>— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1872808731156856903?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The injury is a blow to Canada’s chances at the tournament, but also his OHL club, the Erie Otters. Through 17 games this season, Schaefer has seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points.</p>



<p>In November, <a href="https://x.com/SEllisHockey"><em>Daily Faceoff</em> Associate Editor and Prospect Analyst Steven Ellis</a> wrote that Schaefer is the best defender in the 2025 NHL Draft by a large margin, and may be the top prospect overall. </p>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matthew Schaefer at No. 1 for the 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLDraft</a>?</p>
<p>You better believe it.</p>
<p>Many scouts think it possible, and while there's still a ton of hockey to be played this season, Schaefer's early season play has been incredible impressive:<a href="https://t.co/vnwSct1kAu">https://t.co/vnwSct1kAu</a></p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="141"></div>
<p>— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEllisHockey/status/1862145129936486884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>“Teams searching for a future No. 1 defenseman will be all over Schaefer. He’s all about the activation game: he’s looking to exploit you on the rush and take the puck down the ice,” <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/is-matthew-schaefer-the-favorite-to-go-no-1-in-the-2025-nhl-draft-its-starting-to-look-that-way">Ellis wrote</a>. “Schaefer is always pressuring players to make a quick move, giving them very little time to think before stealing the puck himself.</p>



<p>“There isn’t a better, more deceptive skater on the blueline in this draft class, with his mobility being among the best we’ve seen in recent draft classes,” Ellis added. </p>
