The NHL Central Scouting Service released its mid-season prospect rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer was ranked the number one skater in North America. 

Schaefer was one of two Erie Otters players ranked as A prospects in the preliminary list released by the service in October. 

“The top end of the 2025 NHL Draft class has three or four strong candidates to consider for the first pick overall and at this point in the season Schaefer holds the lead,” said Vice President of NHL Central Scouting, Dan Marr in the release. “There was no clear number one consensus with our group and many NHL Clubs are in the same position. This is a deep draft class and the overall order is bound to shift by the time the final rankings are released in April, which should guarantee an exciting finish to the season.”

Schaefer despite missing significant time with injuries has shown his skill level during his draft season. The Stoney Creek, ON native, has 22 points in 17 games this season, which is the fourth-highest points-per-game average among OHL defensemen.

If selected first overall, Schaefer would become just the fifth defenseman since the turn of the millennium to hold that honor. The last defenseman taken first overall was Owen Power by the Buffalo Sabres. 

Schaefer would join Connor McDavid as the only Otters player taken with the top pick of the draft in team history. 

“Schaefer is the best available prospect at his position and the results he achieves on the ice with his combination of speed, skill and size gives him the edge for the number one spot,” said Marr.