As Matthew Schaefer made his way up to the podium after being selected first overall by the New York Islanders on Friday night at the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles, many of his fellow prospects rose to congratulate and hug the emotional Erie Otters defenceman who had lost his mom to cancer in February of 2024.
One of those players wrapping his arms around Schaefer in a show of support was Barrie Colts’ blueliner Kashawn Aitcheson. Little did Aitcheson know that before the end of the night he would be joining Schaefer on the Island.
“Honestly, he’s a wonderful player and a great person,” said Aitcheson who would end up being selected 17th overall by New York in the first round. “I’m super excited to get playing with him in the future and get that going.”
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It was an emotional moment for a teary-eyed Schaefer and Aitcheson wanted his friend to know that they were there for him.
“Getting to know him at under-18s (world hockey championships) was obviously a great experience,” Aitcheson said of Schaefer. “He’s a great kid, (has a) wonderful personality, and obviously an amazing hockey player too."
“I’m excited to get going with him.”
Aitcheson’s moment came as the Islanders completed back-to-back picks in the middle of the first round. It was one the hard-hitting defenceman will never forget.
“It was obviously the best I’ve ever felt,” said the 18-year-old, who was ranked ninth overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the draft. “It was everything I’ve dreamed of and more. I was drafted by such a great organization, and I couldn’t be happier, honestly."
Aitcheson said he had no idea it would be the Islanders that would step up and call his name. The Eastern Conference team had the No. 1 pick overall, but the day before didn’t even hold picks No. 16 and No. 17 overall until pulling off a deal with the Montreal Canadiens.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stepped up to the podium on Friday before the No. 16 pick and made the deal official when he announced that New York had shipped defenceman Noah Dobson to Montreal in return for two first-round picks (No. 16, No. 17) in the 2025 NHL Draft and forward Emil Heineman.
The Islanders selected Swedish forward Victor Eklund from Djurgardens (HockeyAllsvenskan) and then Aitcheson.
“Things were kind of going by and they made that trade and saw they had two (picks), so I was obviously hoping to go there,” he said Aitcheson. “I didn’t really know anything for sure.”
Aitcheson immediately stood up and hugged family members along with Colts owner Howie Campbell, vice president and general manager Marty Williamson and head coach Dylan Smoskowitz who all made the trip to California.
“It was definitely emotional,” he said. “My family is here, and they made so many sacrifices. Every single one of them, they had to pull their weight for this to happen, and if one of them failed this all probably couldn’t come to life."
“I’m super, super grateful for every one of them. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”
Islanders GM Mathieu Darche said it was exciting to end up with three players in the top 17 of an NHL draft.
“Victor and Kashawn are unbelievable competitors,” he said. “That’s how you win. If you look at the teams that won the last few years, the compete level is off the charts and those three kids we got today have that.
“They’re good offensive players too. You look at even Kashawn, you’ll notice all his hits online and fights, but you look at him and he’s almost a point a game in high-end juniors… We’re extremely excited. It was a great night for the Islanders.”
The Toronto native showed his physical side over his first two OHL seasons, but he took his game to a whole other level last season while leading Barrie to an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals.
The six-foot-one, 198-pound blueliner finished with 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points while tying Riley Patterson for the club scoring lead. He also set a franchise record for goals by a defenceman previously held by two-time Stanley Cup winner Aaron Ekblad and Andrew Marshall (23).
Aitcheson also finished tied with Sudbury’s Kieron Walton for overtime winners with four while leading all defencemen with six game-winners.
All packaged with a physical intensity that has made him one of the best open-ice hitters in the CHL.
“I’m a hard two-way defenceman that will go against the other team’s top lines and be in their face, get under people’s skin, and mix it up,” Aitcheson said.
The defender also took the time to praise the Colts organization for helping him get to this point.
“Since my first year, they’ve kind of welcomed me with open arms, made sure I was taken care of,” he said. “Paid attention to really focusing on my development. It’s just a big credit to them in always believing in me.”
Aitcheson said he would take some time to enjoy the biggest day of his life.
“We fly out (Saturday) for development camp but definitely have a little bit of time tonight to enjoy it and sit back and let it soak in a little bit,” he said.
“The work starts here now for me to make an NHL team. Obviously, get busy in the summer here and get working.”
The 2025 NHL Draft continues on Saturday at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles with Rounds 2 through 7 beginning at 12 p.m.
Other Colts expected to hear their names called include goaltender Ben Hrebik and defenceman Evan Passmore.
Local prospects who could also hear their names called include former Barrie AAA players Lirim Amidovski (North Bay Battalion), Max Dirracolo (Kitchener Rangers), and Jake Crawford (Owen Sound Attack).
