First-choice pick in the NHL draft secured at 17 by a defenseman
In the astounding world of ice hockey, a fifteen-year-old phenom named Matthew Schaefer kicked off the NHL draft night, marking the first time a defender was picked first in the league's history. The New York Islanders, unsurprisingly, snapped him up with their first pick.
Hot on his heels, the San Jose Sharks selected Canadian forward Michael Misa, followed by Swedish forward Anton Frondell joining the Chicago Blackhawks. These two teams have had a rough go of it the past seasons, securing the number one pick in previous drafts.
German Dreamers Held in Suspense
The first 32 players were plucked in Los Angeles that initial night, with each team wielding a so-called pick. And since teams that crashed out of the playoffs get first dibs, the worse a team's performance, the earlier they're picked. The sequence is mostly determined by a lottery, with a plethora of trades to boot.
To the dismay of the German faithful, no players hailing from the land of beer and sausage were selected in the first round. But there's still hope as six more rounds are to unfold this weekend. Among those pinning their skates on hope are David Lewandowski, heir to the legacy of Eduard Lewandowski, a former national player, playing in Saskatoon. U20 national team captain Carlos Handel, strutting his stuff in Canada, and Maxim Schäfer, an ace with the Berlin Polar Bears, also share the dream. Last year, unfortunately, no German player was picked in the draft.
Prospects Remain Optimistic
Although elaborate rankings and forecasts point towards international heavyweights like Swedish forwards Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund securing early selection, German prospects like Handel and Lewandowski maintain a positive outlook, keenly eyeing their chances in the later rounds of the draft.
Alas, despite the German absence in the top-tier picks of the 2025 NHL draft, Handel and Lewandowski, along with others, continue their pursuit of becoming a part of the German hockey dynasty, seeking their rightful place in the league.
Matthew Schaefer's historic pick initated a wave of selections, as the San Jose Sharks chose Canadian forward Michael Misa, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks selecting Swedish forward Anton Frondell. Interestingly, amidst the international talents picked, no German players were selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL draft, yet prospects like U20 national team captain Carlos Handel, playing in Canada, and Maxim Schäfer, an ace with the Berlin Polar Bears, remain optimistic for their chances in the later rounds.
