Trading cards have always been a staple for fans and collectors alike, serving as both a nostalgic escape and a tangible connection to sports’ greatest icons. For hockey enthusiasts, the terrain just got more exciting, sprinkled with the glitter of potential greatness. Upper Deck, the revered card manufacturer, has just cinched a deal that will resonate with fans from Ottawa to Ontario: they’ve taken top-flight NHL prospect Matthew Schaefer under their wing in an exclusive multi-year agreement, just in time to usher in the 2025 NHL Draft.
It isn’t every day that a 17-year-old can nonchalantly sign a deal that’s sure to keep collectors on their toes and auctions bustling. This young defenseman, who is widely predicted to skate his way to the No. 1 overall spot in the upcoming draft, is set to join Upper Deck’s dynasty of newbie wunderkinds and legendary rinksmen. This deal hands Upper Deck the sole bragging rights to Schaefer’s rookie cards and his autographed merchandise, making their collection the envy of all card lockers and trading circles.
Matthew Schaefer, the teenage sensation many are wagering their rookie-card collections on, is living what could only be termed as the ultimate cardboard dream—a delightful twist of fate for a lad who grew up tearing through packs, collecting and trading under the watchful gaze of his family. Now, his name and likeness will be part of someone else’s cherished collection, embossed and tucked away with care, valued not just for performance but the promise of what’s to come. Schaefer allows himself a moment of sentimentality amidst the business, quipping, “It’s pretty special,” while he reflects on his rise from a kid clutching cards to the figure immortalized within them, even before he can legally rent a vehicle.
Upper Deck, on their end, seems to be buzzing with as much excitement as a hockey arena on game night. “Matthew Schaefer is undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today,” chirps Jason Masherah, the company’s president. One can nearly see the sparkle in his eye, or perhaps just the gleam of freshly minted Young Guns cards waiting to bear Schaefer’s likeness.
Schaefer’s credentials offer a solid defense against any lingering doubts. The young starlet has been blazing trails with the Erie Otters, tallying up 22 points in merely 17 games this season—a jaw-dropping stat line, especially considering he’s been duking it out with injuries like a seasoned vet. This Ontario Hockey League (OHL) first overall pick from the 2023 draft isn’t resting on domestic laurels alone. Internationally, his accolades include nothing short of gold medals from Team Canada at both the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds. Schaefer’s career highlights already read like an all-star reel; if anything, his resume should come with a chic carrying case.
Collectors keen on acquiring Schaefer’s exclusive memorabilia won’t be kept twiddling their thumbs in suspense for long. Upper Deck has announced that signed pucks, jerseys, and prints are slated to be available on their online store by the end of the month, just in time for the holiday season—when fans can undoubtedly expect these collectibles to become cherished gifts wrapped in cardboard wizardry. His first official trading cards, considered a rite of passage in and of themselves, will launch into the wild once he makes his NHL debut, offering fans a fresh wave of excitement while compelling them to prune their binders for these prized additions.
And all this is merely the prologue leading up to the grand event—the 2025 NHL Draft. On June 27–28, the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles will see the next chapter of Schaefer’s story unfold under the glare of spotlights and the hum of anticipation. And thanks to Upper Deck, it won’t just be spectatorships that follow his progress, but small, glossy rectangles, cataloging each stride, each pass—and all those moments that will eventually affirm him as not just a name, but a legend in the making. Cards clutched in hand, kids today will dream alongside him, just as he once did.
