NHL draft prospect, Hamilton's Matthew Schaefer, on dealing with serious injury and the death of his mom

Matthew Schaefer's collarbone is fine, and so is the Erie Otter defenseman's perspective on dealing with adversity.

Missing the final three months of the season entering his draft eligible year, the 17-year-old said, is nothing compared to what NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked North American skater has already endured.

Schaefer lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer in February 2024. Two months earlier, his billet mother in Erie was struck and killed by a train, with her death ruled a suicide.

"I've been through a lot in my life and I'd rather an injury than losing someone I love," Schaefer said Friday at the NHL's annual pre-draft combine in Buffalo. "I mean, there's a lot worse things that can happen than injuries.

As for recovering from the collarbone he broke in December, Schaefer said: "I'm pretty positive with my mindset and I'm driven to want to come back. So yeah, obviously injuries, they're not fun. But I'm driven to get better and come back even stronger."

Schaefer was cleared to resume skating May 1 and plans to take part in all of the combine's strength and agility tests with the exception of the bench press and pullups.

Upbeat and talkative, he showed no hint of the pain he's dealt with by engaging reporters in opening the press conference by saying: "What's going on today? Everybody good?"

Schaefer then proceeded to playfully joke and also compliment Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa, with whom he shared the podium and is the No. 2-ranked North American skater.

"Not able to play as much, I got to watch a little more and got to know him. Great guy on and off ice," Schaefer said, before saying he'd be happy if Misa was selected ahead of him.

Schaefer then displayed humility by acknowledging being