There’s a new buzz in the air for collectors and hockey aficionados alike—Matthew Schaefer, the tremor-inducing NHL prospect, has practically shattered the ice before even setting his skate on an NHL rink. Upper Deck, the ever-vigilant sentinel of trading card greatness, has snatched Schaefer in a dazzling exclusive multi-year agreement. This arrangement places the 17-year-old prodigy in a pantheon of immaculate legends and promising young athletes, just shy of the highly anticipated 2025 NHL Draft.

What does this mean for the fans and collectors? Picture this: exclusive rights to Matthew Schaefer rookie cards, autographed keepsakes, and whatever else can fit into a collectible frame, carefully curried by Upper Deck. They’ve wrapped their monopoly arms around him, pretty much making sure no one else can get in on the action.

In a twist of delightful irony, the lad who used to open packs and arrange the cards with a meticulous hand during family bonding times now finds himself starring in those very decks and sets. “It’s pretty special,” Schaefer beams, likely reflecting on these familial reveries turned tangible reality. Not a bad trajectory for someone who still needs to hitch a lift from others because he’s not old enough to rent a car himself.

As for Upper Deck, their enthusiasm is hardly concealable. “Matthew Schaefer is undeniably one of the most promising young talents in hockey today,” declares Jason Masherah, the president who seems to be daydreaming about the forthcoming rush for Young Guns templates that Matthew will undoubtedly adorn.

With a glance at Schaefer’s recent exploits, the excitement is palpable for his future cardboard avatar. Despite wrestling with injuries, Schaefer notched 22 points in just 17 games—perching his name atop the Erie Otters’ expectations after being their foremost pick in the 2023 OHL Draft. And internationally? Well, Schaefer’s considerable talents have earned him not one, but two gold medals, thanks to sterling performances for Team Canada at both the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds. Just your run-of-the-mill accolades for a kid who’s simply warming up.

Expectant collectors won’t have to practice too much patience. Schaefer-signed pucks, jerseys, and prints are timelined to blitz into Upper Deck’s online store before you can say “power play.” As for his trading cards, they’ll make their ceremonious debut once he strides onto NHL ice, so enthusiasts might want to ensure their binders aren’t too cramped.

The prospect of the 2025 NHL Draft looms large, slated for June 27–28, staged at the glamorous L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in the City of Angels. It’s not just Schaefer who’s posed to dazzle under neon lights and television arc lamps, but his trading card counterparts, now enshrined in the Upper Deck’s perennial promise of mint condition and magnetic attraction.

Moreover, Schaefer’s newly aligned trajectory with Upper Deck speaks volumes about the company’s continued investment in tomorrow’s talent, ensuring collectors have access to the most coveted, heralded names you’ll soon be cheering for in real-time NHL action. For a young man like Schaefer, on the cusp of turning his potential into palpable NHL prowess, being immortalized in trading card form by such a legacy brand adds yet another sprig of laurel to his budding career.

Upper Deck’s strategic move here is more than mere prescience; it’s a calculated embrace of Schaefer’s burgeoning narrative, and fans are apt to join this celebratory tour. Trading cards, once merely pastime artifacts, now serve as sociocultural currency, cultural timestamps encapsulating storied careers yet to fully unfold. Schaefer’s saga is about to be etched into cardboard history, and if past performance is any indicator, his story—like his career—promises a thrilling journey to watch unfold, one puck drop at a time.

Matthew Schaefer Upper Deck Exclusive