Trading cards have long been treasures of nostalgia and pride for sports enthusiasts, offering tangible connections to their favorite players and moments. Yet occasionally, this world of cardboard brings forth a buzz that echoes beyond mere fan collections. Enter Matthew Schaefer, the 17-year-old hockey prodigy who has inked an exclusive multi-year agreement with Upper Deck, the revered trading card company. This development not only highlights his burgeoning potential but also stirs excitement among collectors eager to capture a piece of NHL’s bright future.
Exclusivity in this context means that if you’re dreaming of possessing a Matthew Schaefer rookie card or any merchandise adorned with his distinctive autograph, Upper Deck holds the monopoly on those desires. As he stands poised to enter the 2025 NHL Draft, likely as the overall top pick, Schaefer marks his own milestone moment—a leap from being a young fan, ripping open packs in awe, to becoming the face found inside.
Reflecting on his signing, Schaefer shares a heartfelt sentiment tracing back to his childhood. “It’s pretty special,” he muses, his mind journeying back to days of sorting through stacks of cards with family—a pastime that now comes full circle as his own image transforms from whimsical wish to collector’s item. Indeed, not bad for someone yet to reach the minimum age to rent a car, but already drafted into the halls of memorabilia greatness.
For Upper Deck, this partnership is nothing short of a strategic coup. President Jason Masherah is vocal about their excitement, “Matthew Schaefer is undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today,” he states, likely already envisioning the ripples of anticipation his Young Guns series will create. With templates primed, they’re ready for a new wave of demand driven by Schaefer’s imagery and aura.
Currently a standout for the Erie Otters, Schaefer’s on-ice exploits include notching up 22 points in just 17 games this season, an impressive feat considering he’s had to contend with injuries. This hasn’t deterred his rise, as evidenced by his selection as the team’s first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Draft, a testament to his skill as a defenseman. Moreover, his international credentials are equally gleaming with gold, having clinched two medals for Team Canada in the U17 World Challenge and U18 Worlds—a display of his ability to excel on both regional and global stages.
For collectors, the wait won’t be endless to grab a piece of Schaefer’s magic for themselves. Upper Deck plans to roll out signed pucks, jerseys, and prints quite shortly, expecting their online store to be stocked by the month’s end. As for his official trading cards, they’re scheduled to grace collections post his NHL debut—a nod to clearing some room in your binders if you’re a serious collector.
The anticipation doesn’t just lie in the cards. The 2025 NHL Draft is set for June 27–28 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, a grand stage where Schaefer is fully prepped to step into the big league limelight. Thanks to his foresight and Upper Deck’s effervescent enthusiasm, so too is his presence ready to be immortalized in cardboard—a testament to potential, preparation, and the puck’s unfaltering promise.
As we edge closer to the draft, Schaefer’s journey becomes one soaked with expectation and promise. His signing with Upper Deck is a keystone moment, not merely for collectors eyeing future investments but for the young star’s narrative arc—transcending childhood dreams into accomplished reality. With every element aligning, from on-ice achievements to memorabilia allure, the young man from the Erie Otters stands at the threshold of a career that hockey aficionados will follow eagerly, through countless plays, passes, and moments enshrined forever on shiny stock and glossy print.
