The 2025 NHL Draft showcased Matthew Schaefer as the anticipated first overall pick, but the event transcended expectations with surprises and heartfelt tributes. Schaefer honored his late mother through personalized jersey engravings, while the Anaheim Ducks created a unique experience for their 10th pick, involving a helicopter ride and a visit to Disneyland. From celebrity appearances to emotional gestures, the decentralized draft emphasized human connection and creativity, leaving lasting memories for players and audiences alike.
When Matthew Schaefer went first overall to the New York Islanders, he already had his late mother Jennifer in his thoughts, having lost her to breast cancer. Schaefer had her photo and a signature stitched inside his jacket. But when he was given his first Islanders jersey, it had a purple Hockey Fights Cancer ribbon sewn on the left chest and her initials on the inside collar.
The Anaheim Ducks marketing department and the NHL cooked up something special for their 10th overall pick: Loading him into a helicopter, flying him across Southern California and then driving him to Disneyland.
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