Upper Deck has just reeled in a big catch in the world of sports memorabilia. Trading card aficionados and hockey fans alike were handed an exhilarating announcement: top NHL prospect Matthew Schaefer has committed to an exclusive multi-year agreement with Upper Deck. This development comes just in time to crank up the excitement ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 NHL Draft.
Meet Matthew Schaefer. At just 17, this defenseman, tipped to be the likely first overall pick in next year’s draft, has been a sensation-getter from the moment he laced up his skates. But now, he’s skating right into the realms of trading card fame—and, trust us, that’s as exclusive as it gets. If you’re looking to grace your collection with a Matthew Schaefer rookie card or maybe an autographed jersey from this rising star, Upper Deck is officially your go-to, and they’ve got a tight monopoly on his memorabilia.
Schaefer described the deal with palpable excitement, noting how special it felt. The young athlete reminisced about his roots, recalling the afternoons dedicated to cracking open packs and sorting cards with his family—a simple yet cherished pastime that’s taken on new meaning. Fast forward a few years, and it’s not hard to see how fate has worked its mysterious ways, morphing the young collector dreaming of glory into the collectible sensation he is today. The kind of evolutionary story that’s sure to resonate with those cracking open their own booster packs. It’s not every day you see a kid who can barely rent a car mark such influential milestones.
Upper Deck’s president, Jason Masherah, could barely contain his enthusiasm either. “Matthew Schaefer is undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today,” he declared, though one imagines Masherah had long ago prepped the celebrated Young Guns template in anticipation of inking such a deal. The trading card giant seems to be securing its place in the annals of sports history, boasting an elite roster of future icons.
Schaefer’s performance with the Erie Otters tells its own story. In just 17 games, he notched 22 points, all while battling injuries. His indomitable spirit and flair on the blue line saw him picked first in the 2023 OHL Draft—a feat only a handful of defensemen achieve with such aplomb. Add to that his feats on the international stage, with gold medals hanging from Team Canada’s U17 World Challenge and U18 Worlds campaigns, and you begin to see why Schaefer’s name commands reverence. It appears to be just another ordinary set of extraordinary accomplishments for this young phenom.
For trading card collectors, good things come to those who wait, and they won’t have to wait too long. Initial offerings like signed pucks, jerseys, and prints are slated to hit the Upper Deck online store before the month shuts its doors. However, Schaefer’s inaugural batch of official trading cards will make their debut once he graces the NHL with his presence—meaning it’s never too early to start dusting off that collector’s album and making room for Schaefer’s memorabilia showcase.
As the world sets its sights on the 2025 NHL Draft scheduled for June 27–28 at the star-studded Peacock Theater, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles’ L.A. Live, Schaefer seems more than ready to bask in the spotlight—and with Upper Deck, so will his card-sized visage. This partnership isn’t just about sports; it’s an odyssey into branding, memorabilia, and the marriage of nostalgia with new-age stardom. With Schaefer, Upper Deck has captured the essence of a promising future star and set him up for a legendary career. If you thought trading cards were yesterday’s game, think again; in the age of Schaefer, they’re having their renaissance.
