Upper Deck has once again hit the jackpot, and this time it’s with the signing of arguably the hottest young talent in ice hockey. Matthew Schaefer, the 17-year-old phenom who’s expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, has solidified a multi-year exclusive agreement with the iconic trading card company. Hockey fans, collectors, and investors alike should prepare themselves for a flurry of Schaefer-themed collectibles.
Stepping on the ice might be Schaefer’s primary gig, but making waves in the trading card market? That’s not far behind. With this exclusive deal, Upper Deck has secured the sole rights to produce Matthew Schaefer rookie cards and memorabilia, cornering the market for this budding superstar before he ever drops a puck on NHL ice.
For Schaefer, this agreement is a bit like flipping the script of his own childhood memories. “It’s pretty special,” Schaefer remarked nostalgically. He fondly remembers sitting around with family, ripping open card packs and sorting through the treasures inside. Fast forward to the present, and Schaefer himself will now be the glittering prize nestled within those shiny foil wrappers—an accomplishment not too shabby for someone who can’t yet legally raise a celebratory pint.
Upper Deck, on their part, couldn’t be more ecstatic. The company’s president, Jason Masherah, is undoubtedly thrilled to add Schaefer to their star-studded roster. “Matthew Schaefer is undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today,” Masherah enthused, likely already earmarking a spot in the company’s vault for the first Schaefer Young Guns card.
Currently skating circles around competitors with the Erie Otters, Schaefer has made his mark in junior hockey, posting an impressive 22 points in just 17 games this season. This stat line becomes even more impressive considering he had to maneuver around some challenging injuries. Drafted first overall in the 2023 OHL Draft, Schaefer’s abilities were never in doubt. His knack for clutch plays has also been showcased on the international stage, where he added a couple of gold medals from the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds to his budding resume. For Schaefer, success isn’t just routine—it’s practically genetic.
For collectors eager to get their hands on Schaefer’s gear, the game plan is clear: keep your eyes peeled and your wallets ready. Signed pucks, jerseys, and limited edition prints are slated to make their virtual debut on the Upper Deck online store by the end of this month. And the pièce de résistance for collectors, the official trading cards, will be released post-NHL debut—so it might be time to clear some valuable space in those card binders.
The turning of the calendar to late June next year will mark a monumental occasion for both Schaefer and the NHL’s latest batch of talent, as the 2025 NHL Draft unfolds under the bright lights of L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. As Schaefer prepares to take his first steps into the spotlight, Upper Deck ensures fans will have the most tangible mementos of Schaefer’s rise to stardom in pristine card form.
This agreement not only positions Upper Deck to profit handsomely off Schaefer’s expected NHL dominance but also solidifies their role as the go-to for hockey card collectors. As Schaefer gears up to add his name to the sport’s illustrious record books, it’s clear his imprint on the trading card world is only just beginning.
