In a thrilling prelude to the 2025 NHL Draft, trading card aficionados and hockey fans alike have reason to celebrate: Upper Deck, the venerable giant of sports memorabilia, has secured an exclusive multi-year deal with Matthew Schaefer, one of the brightest stars on the horizon of professional ice hockey. The ink is barely dry on this pact, which promises to place Schaefer—a talented 17-year-old defenseman—into the company of Upper Deck’s illustrious collection of past legends and promising prodigies.
Whether you dabble in the finite art of trading cards or you’re a hardcore collector with binders aplenty, you’ll now need to direct your efforts toward Upper Deck if you hope to acquire the prized Schaefer rookie card. In doing so, you could well be initiating the kind of treasure hunt that trading card connoisseurs dream about. Much like signing a first-round draft pick, Upper Deck’s exclusive rights to Schaefer’s trading cards and autographed merchandise ensure they hold the golden ticket in the burgeoning collectibles market.
Reflecting on this noteworthy milestone in his burgeoning career, Schaefer reminisces about his own early fascination with trading cards. Hours of youthful bliss were spent prying open packs and organizing them with methodical precision alongside his family. Fast forward to today, and the irony is delightfully sweet: Schaefer is no longer just a participant in someone else’s story, but the very narrative on every card in the pack.
Upper Deck, no stranger to molding the careers of sports’ next generation, is equally over the moon. According to Jason Masherah, the company’s president, Schaefer represents one of the most exciting prospects that hockey has encountered in recent years. It’s as if Masherah already envisions a future where Schaefer’s likeness not only defines the present but marks the next step in Upper Deck’s dynamic story.
On the ice, Schaefer has done far more than just meet expectations. This Niagara Falls native, playing with blazing intensity for the Erie Otters, already boasts an enviable record. Despite grappling with injuries, he managed an impressive 22 points in just 17 games, securing his position as a first-overall pick in the 2023 OHL Draft. His international endeavors are equally scintillating; Schaefer has dabbled with success against adolescent athletes from around the globe, donning the maple leaf with pride and notching gold medals at the U17 World Challenge and the U18 World Championship.
For those eager to snag the newest Schaefer memorabilia, some exciting launches are on the horizon. Upper Deck plans to roll out signed pucks, jerseys, and collectible prints by the end of the month. Those waiting for Schaefer’s first official trading card, however, will need a touch more patience, as these are slated to release post his NHL debut. So, it may be wise to set aside some prime real estate in your collections.
All of this propels Schaefer to the precipice of the 2025 NHL Draft, poised for his moment in the spotlight at the glitzy Peacock Theater in Los Angeles’s L.A. Live. This forthcoming gala, scheduled over June 27–28, promises to be a spectacle of promise, ambition, and talent. Schaefer stands ready to shine, a reflection of both his dedication and the faith placed in him by Upper Deck. This alliance with Upper Deck is more than a deal; it’s an endorsement, one signalling that Matthew Schaefer is ready to skate his way into the annals of hockey history. Meanwhile, fans and collectors alike can only watch in anticipatory delight, ready to capture a piece of what promises to be an electrifying career.
