Trading card enthusiasts, particularly those with an icy penchant for hockey, have a new reason to rejoice. Matthew Schaefer, a highly-touted prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, has inked an exclusive multi-year deal with Upper Deck—a company that is as much a staple in the sports memorabilia world as hockey pucks and Zambonis are to the NHL. If you’re eyeing a Schaefer rookie card or dreaming of holding an autographed gem, brace yourself to navigate the exclusive territory marked by Upper Deck’s Reign of Monopoly.
Schaefer, at the tender age of 17, is already tipped to be the crown jewel of the upcoming NHL draft. The deal, set to render him an icon in the sports card world, seems almost karmic for someone who grew up in the tactile realm of card trading. “It’s pretty special,” Schaefer mused, reflecting on days spent with family, sorting through stacks of player cards. Now, with a nod from the universe, he finds himself to be a worthy addition to those wax packs, effectively turned from collector to collectable. An impressive twist of fate for a teenager whose life is now a tapestry of dreams stitched with puck-shaped threads.
Upper Deck shares in the fanfare with more than a fair share of glee. Company president Jason Masherah’s commented that Schaefer is, “undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today.” The trading card giant, who perhaps already has the design of Schaefer’s future “Young Guns” series printed in the proverbial and actual print press, seems more than ready to ride this promising wave.
Schaefer’s on-ice exploits read like a highlight reel reserved for drama-laden sports biopics. He has scored 22 points in just 17 games this season with the Erie Otters, battling through injuries and yet shining brightly—a marvel for a defenseman. His gold medal triumphs for Team Canada at both the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds are testament to his prowess. He’s chalking up a resume filled with accolades faster than a speed-skating drill.
For collectors itching to expand their repertoire with Schaefer’s memorabilia, the wait won’t be long. Upper Deck plans to launch signed pucks, jerseys, and prints through their online store by the end of the month. While his official trading cards will only be unveiled post-NHL inauguration, the anticipation alone warrants a designated empty pocket in every collector’s binder.
The climactic moment, the 2025 NHL Draft, will unfurl on June 27–28 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater—a setting that matches the grandeur expected of Schaefer’s entry into professional hockey. As ever, where young talent goes, so follows Upper Deck, positioning themselves to capture his essence and preserve it in cardboard glory.
As Schaefer prepares for this momentous leap into the NHL, his future glimmers not just on the ice rink but also on mantels and lockers worldwide. Trading card loyalists are set to revel in this modern-day gold rush, with an Upper Deck guide mapping the way through this star-studded mine. All eyes—and hands—will be reaching out, vying to clutch a piece of this young athlete’s burgeoning legacy as it transitions from junior gold to professional ice dominance. It’s only just begun, a trading card saga written before skating across the horizons of ink and dreams, starring Matthew Schaefer, the prodigy with a stick, a puck, and now, a card to his name.
