The New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday in Los Angeles. Schaefer, who will turn 18 on Sept. 5, played for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League the past two seasons.

New York surprises nobody by using its first No. 1 selection since 2009 on the 17-year-old Schaefer, a 6-foot-2 blue liner who spent the past two seasons with the OHL’s Erie Otters.

Actor Kevin Connolly did an interview with Schaefer that the Islanders beamed back live to their draft party at UBS Arena. Connolly is known for his role as Eric Murphy in the HBO series “Entourage.” Well, Schaefer had an entourage of his own, including a camera crew following his every move.