Top NHL Prospect Inks Exclusive Deal with Upper Deck

Trading cards have always held a special little niche in the heart of sports fans, a physical manifestation of fandom that fits snugly into a pocket or sleeve. The anticipation for new card releases is akin to opening holiday gifts, only this time the best gift could be a piece of cardboard with a promising young athlete's face on it. Enter the tale of Matthew Schaefer—a soon-to-be hockey legend with a fresh deal that’s making waves.

Before Matthew Schaefer even touches the ice of an NHL arena in a professional capacity, he’s already achieved what many hockey players dream of: being immortalized by Upper Deck. Yes, that’s right. The prestigious trading card giant has locked in a multi-year exclusive partnership with the 17-year-old defenseman, a coup just ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft that has collectors and hockey fanatics buzzing with excitement.

Now, Matthew Schaefer might not be old enough to legally sip champagne or rent a vehicle sans additional fees, but he will soon occupy a more intriguing space: binders and card collections worldwide. If this were a board game, Upper Deck just put hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place, monopolizing Schaefer’s rookie cards and autographed memorabilia. It's a masterstroke, really.

Matthew Schaefer, who everyone and their grandmother expects to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, is ecstatic about the development. For the young Canadian, this isn't just business; it's personal. Nostalgia wraps this deal like the protective sleeve on a mint-condition rookie card. "It’s pretty special," Schaefer reflects, conjuring images of yesteryears spent cracking open packs and organizing cards with his family’s gentle guidance. Now, fast forward a few years, and he’s the one in those packs, ready to be cherished by collectors everywhere. Try that on for size, life!

Upper Deck didn’t enter this union lightly. Company president, Jason Masherah, practically beamed with excitement, declaring, “Matthew Schaefer is undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today.” One could easily imagine a Young Guns card template sitting in the company’s computers, just itching for Schaefer's photograph to be added to it.

Schaefer’s resume is already impressive. Skating for the Erie Otters, the young blueliner has posted jaw-dropping numbers—22 points over 17 games—even while wrestling with injuries. And that’s just in domestic play. In the international arena, he’s already adorned with gold medals from both the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds, donned in the red and white glory of Team Canada. Ho-hum, just another day in the life of what appears to be a hockey phenom.

For card collectors, the wait won’t be agonizingly long. Get ready to snatch up Schaefer gear like signed pucks and jerseys, hitting Upper Deck’s virtual shelves by the end of the month. The first official trading cards, however, will wait until after Schaefer takes his first NHL skate under the bright lights. So, perhaps it’s time to clear some space—or, better yet, invest in another binder or two.

Mark your calendars: the 2025 NHL Draft is slated for June 27–28, taking place in the dazzling setting of L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Once Matthew Schaefer takes that stage, donning the jersey of whichever team is fortunate enough to draft him, his professional journey will officially start. And with Upper Deck's exclusive deal, that journey will be meticulously documented, one card at a time.

For Schaefer, this isn't merely a contractual agreement; it's the beginning of a legacy. The same trading cards he once opened with starry eyes will now feature his own visage, a young man poised on the brink of what could be a legendary career. With the ink now dry on this deal, all that remains is to watch—and, perhaps, to start strategically stashing away those cards. Welcome to the future of hockey collectibles—branded with the promising shine of Matthew Schaefer’s burgeoning stardom.