The clamor for trading cards takes a significant leap with the announcement that hockey’s youthful sensation, Matthew Schaefer, has signed an exclusive multi-year deal with Upper Deck. Just as the hockey world buzzes with pre-draft anticipation, the 17-year-old defenseman positions himself not just as a top prospect but as a coveted collectible, a future star enshrined in glossy cardboard and ink.
For those not in the know, this contract means that Upper Deck has now cornered the market on Matthew Schaefer merchandise. If you’re a hockey aficionado or a trading card junkie, mark your calendars and save your pennies, because snagging a Matthew Schaefer rookie card or a piece of autographed gear will mean embarking on a treasure hunt solely through Upper Deck’s offerings.
The anticipation is music to a future NHL star’s ears. Schaefer’s trajectory seems akin to a storyline ripped from the annals of childhood folklore—an aspirational tale of a boy wonder whose youthful days were spent ripping open packs and sorting cards with familial zeal. Now, he’s ascended from arranging the collections to becoming a marquee part of them. Surely, for Schaefer, there’s a magic in this transitional moment, a special something in transitioning from card enthusiast to card icon, all before Warren Buffet’s insurance company would feel confident loaning him a mid-sized rental.
Upper Deck couldn’t be more thrilled about this partnership either. Company president Jason Masherah was full of praises when he lauded Schaefer as one of the most promising young talents in hockey today. One could imagine deep within the hallowed halls of Upper Deck’s creative departments, the Young Guns template is being polished up, in eager anticipation of Schaefer’s NHL debut.
The Erie Otters have seen Schaefer’s talent firsthand. In a breakout season where he scored 22 points over 17 games—despite the hurdles that injuries presented—he validated being the first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Draft. It’s imperative to note that Schaefer doesn’t just shine domestically. His international prowess has already been etched in gold, quite literally, thanks to his Canadian teams snagging the top honors at the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds.
Collectors, start your engines, because the release of Schaefer memorabilia is nigh. With signed pucks, jerseys, and prints scheduled to make their debut online before the month bids adieu, there’s palpable excitement in the air. The first trading cards, however, will be ceremoniously launched once Schaefer graces an NHL rink. So perhaps now is the time to reorganize those card binders to accommodate the addition of some Schaefer magic.
As we set our sights on the 2025 NHL Draft—an event taking place amidst the glitz and glamour of L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 27 through June 28—the spotlight beckons for young Schaefer. It’s an exhilarating time for him, not just for the sporting potential that the future holds, but also for his newfound status as a leading figure in the realm of sports collectibles. Thanks to Upper Deck, Schaefer not only finds himself ready for the draft but set to become a shining star in the trading card universe.
So, whether his future belongs to a mantle of crystal trophies or laminated tokens cherished by collectors, Schaefer is on a journey—a journey manifest in both his physical presence on ice and his captured likeness in rare and exclusive collectibles. The excitement of the 2025 Draft beckons, and with it, new stories, new victories, and new cards await.
