The Saskatchewan Roughriders won the battle of backup quarterbacks Saturday by defeating the B.C. Lions 37-18 at Mosaic Stadium.
We’re used to seeing emotions overflow at the NHL Draft. Being selected into the world’s top league is a massive moment for these young players and hugs don’t get more hearty than when they’re shared with family members moments after the culmination of a lifelong dream.
That said, there was more eye-dabbing done than usual at the 2025 NHL Draft thanks to the event’s headliner. When the New York Islanders called Matthew Schaefer’s name first overall, they were selecting a young man with serious on-ice promise who’s been through some grave things in his life.
The tears flowed as Matthew hugged his dad, Todd, and brother, Johnny, all of them surely thinking about Jennifer — the mother Matthew and Johnny lost to breast cancer about 16 months ago — in the moment Matthew’s hockey career reached a new level.
“Lots of tears as, everyone can see,” Schaefer told Sportsnet’s Ailish Forfar shortly after the Isles took him. “More happy tears than sad. Wish my mom could be here, know she’s here in spirit.”
