The world of sports collectibles shifted into high gear as promising young hockey talent Matthew Schaefer entered into an exclusive deal with Upper Deck, the titan of trading cards. Just in perfect time for the 2025 NHL Draft, the accord promises that this 17-year-old defensive wunderkind will soon be dazzling fans, not only on the ice but on his very own collectible merchandise as well. For avid collectors and hockey fans alike, the news couldn’t be sweeter.
Think of the agreement as owning the keys to Schaefer’s memorabilia kingdom—every card, autograph, and unique piece of hockey history bearing his name will proudly carry the Upper Deck insignia. For collectors aiming to secure a first edition Schaefer rookie card, or perhaps a glossy autograph, crudely put, it’s an Upper Deck or nothing scenario.
Schaefer is already basking in what could be called a poetic full-circle moment. The young player reminisced about his childhood passion for trading cards, spending countless hours unpacking, cataloging, and trading these tiny snippets of player nostalgia with his family. Fast forward a few years and this electrifying athlete, not yet old enough to rent a car, is leaping from being a collector to becoming a collectible.
Upper Deck, renowned for anticipating the future stars of the sports world, seems genuinely enthusiastic about including Schaefer into their celebrated roster. Jason Masherah, the president of Upper Deck, was full of praise, labeling Schaefer as “one of the most promising young talents in hockey today.” You can practically picture the team at Upper Deck already feverishly designing his Young Guns card, eagerly anticipating the day it hits the shelves.
Schaefer’s track record evocatively underscores the roots of Upper Deck’s excitement. Currently skating for the Erie Otters, he managed to log an impressive 22 points over a mere 17 games this season. This, despite navigating season-interrupting injuries. As the first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Draft, Schaefer hit the ground skating and didn’t stop. And let’s not forget his international feats: proudly sporting Canada’s colors, he helped secure gold medals at both the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds. It appears that owning the ice is his natural state of being.
For fans and collectors eager to dive into the Schaefer obsession, patience will be a virtue but not a necessity. Merch items like signed pucks, jerseys, and exclusive prints are projected to be available from Upper Deck’s online store by month’s end, offering a quick fix for dedicated fans. The official trading cards, featuring his debut into the NHL, will follow shortly after. Collectors, make sure to dust off your binders and bag your bragging rights early.
The upcoming 2025 NHL Draft will unfold on the vibrant stage of L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in the City of Angels on June 27–28. It’s almost certain that Schaefer, tagged as a probable No. 1 overall pick, will bask in the glare of the spotlight. With Upper Deck watching his back, his ascent to the pinnacle of hockey stardom will be ornamented by a legacy of trading cards, a true testament to today’s icons and tomorrow’s legends.
As Schaefer’s hockey journey progresses, it’s certain his presence will reverberate both on and off the rink. More than just a name on a card, his rise from a card-collecting youngster to the face smiling back from them epitomizes not just the dreams of a player, but of every fan behind those dreams. Thanks to Upper Deck, Matthew Schaefer’s story—a voluminous chapter barely begun—will echo each time a pack is opened, secured in binders, and forever part of the cherished panorama of sports history.
