With the NHL Entry Draft taking place this weekend in Buffalo and the next crop of elite talent ready to hear their names called as they embark on the next step in their hockey journey, it’s a fitting time to take a look back at what was an incredibly successful season for Otters’ alumni in the National Hockey League.

From familiar faces in new places, to stellar award winning seasons, it was truly a fantastic season for players with a connection to the Flagship City. The Otters pride themselves on development and are one of the top organizations in the hockey world when it comes to producing top NHL talent and these names have become synonymous with success at the highest level.

Matthew Schaefer – Calder Trophy Winner

What an unbelievable season it was for former Otters number one overall pick Matthew Schaefer. From being selected number one overall by the New York Islanders in June to making the roster as an 18-year-old defenseman, to having one of the best seasons ever by a blueliner that young, the story of the Stoney Creek, ON native is truly a special one.

Schaefer played in 73 total games in Erie, tallying 39 points (10G+29A) in a shortened OHL career, but his impact stretched far beyond his play on the ice. Number 48 was a pillar in the Erie community and was always at the forefront of the headlines.

In the NHL, it’s been no different for the youngster, playing in all 82 games for the Islanders, picking up 59 points (23G+36A), leading the way for all defensemen with the club and playing nearly 25 minutes a night. One of the best seasons ever by an 18-year-old defenseman in the NHL.

This dynamic season earned Schaefer the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year, the first Otters’ alumnus to win the award.

Closer to home, Schaefer was the Otters’ guest of honor at the 2026 OHL Priority Selection in Kingston, where he took to the stage to announce Colin Kennedy as the second overall pick, sticking around the entire night meeting and greeting with fans and reminiscing on all of his good times in Erie.

Schaefer is not the only former Otter playing pro on Long Island as he spent this season alongside another former Erie blueliner in Adam Pelech, who has gone onto quite the NHL career for himself.

A remarkable story of perseverance, the narrative of Matthew Schaefer is just beginning as he looks forward to a lengthy and successful career in the National Hockey League.

Connor McDavid – Ted Lindsay Award Winner

Perhaps no former Otter has had the impact on the National Hockey League than Connor McDavid. The former number one overall pick by both Erie at age 15 and the Edmonton Oilers has cemented himself as one of the top players in the NHL and is coming off of another season where he has added another piece of silverware to his trophy cabinet.

The Newmarket, ON native is coming off of yet another other-worldly season where he posted 138 points (48G+90A), skating in all 82 games for the Oilers, leading the NHL in points. This outstanding campaign was enough to gain McDavid his fifth Ted Lindsay Award, given to the most outstanding player in the league as voted on by the NHL Players Association.

McDavid is a dynamic talent who has transcended the sport and continues to dazzle with his amazing skating ability and skill night after night and the Erie Otters are thrilled to see what he has done year after year.

Anthony Cirelli – Frank J. Selke Trophy Finalist

The hero of the 2017 OHL Championship, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli, is coming off yet another strong season in western Florida.

Cirelli posted 52 points (23G+29A) in 71 games for the Lightning, helping to lead his team to yet another postseason berth.

The scoresheet is not always where the Etobicoke, ON native shines the brightest however as his nearly 50% faceoff percentage and career-high +38 was enough to earn him a spot as a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the league’s best defensive forward. Though the award was given to OHL alumnus and Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, Cirelli’s defensive excellence is not to go unrecognized as he continues to provide stability for the Lightning up-front.

Cirelli plays in Tampa alongside fellow Otters alumnus Erik Cernak, who is coming off of another strong season on the Lightning’s back-end, with the defensive efforts of the pair of them helping to contribute to their goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy winning his second Vezina Trophy as the league’s top netminder.

Darren Raddysh – Headed Home

Former Otter and 2017 OHL Champion Darren Raddysh had a career year in Tampa and it has netted him a nice deal as he returns home to suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2026-27 NHL season.

Thrust into a much bigger role in Tampa due to a litany of injuries on the blueline, Raddysh shined, playing in 72 games with the Lightning, collecting 70 points (22G+48A), nearly a point per game, the team’s leading point-getter from the backend. He was also the team’s time-on-ice leader skating nearly 23 minutes a night while posting a +21.

This career year for the Toronto native earned him an 8-year deal with his hometown Maple Leafs where he will begin next season hoping to continue the magic and have another strong season.

Jaime Drysdale – Postseason Hero

Another recent Otter making waves at the NHL level, Jaime Drysdale was the only former Otter to make his way to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In his third season with the Philadelphia Flyers, the former number six overall pick in the NHL Draft skated in 78 games and collected 32 points (8G+24A) while playing over 21 minutes a night.

Drysdale and the Flyers made it past the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the postseason before being knocked-out in round two by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes. In his first career playoff appearance, the Toronto native scored twice and provided two assists in 10 games.

Drysdale continues to make a big impact across the state as he continues to develop into quite the NHL two-way defenseman.

Other Notables

There are plenty of other notable Otters who had strong campaigns in the NHL in 2025-26.

It was another electric season in the Motor City for Alex Debrincat as he comes off of his third 40-goal season in the NHL, posting 41 in all 82 games with the Detroit Red Wings, leading the way in scoring for his team with 85 points. A lethal scorer, this 2017 OHL champ has been fantastic since taking the NHL stage and looks to build off another big year in Motown.

Ryan O’Reilly is coming off yet another big year for the Nashville Predators. The model of consistency in the NHL, the forward collected 74 points (25G+49A), playing in all but one game in Smashville this season. This was good enough for second on the team in points just behind Filip Forsberg.

Another elite center who can play in all three zones, Dylan Strome has had another strong year in our nation’s capital, posting 58 points (19G+39A) in 80 games with the Washington Capitals. Strome was effective in the faceoff dot, winning over 58% of his draws. This former number one overall pick by Erie and number three overall pick in the NHL continues his solid career to this point.

Alongside these players on NHL rosters, the Otters also have a large group of alumni playing hockey professionally in the U.S. and beyond. They also have former players who have gone onto incredibly successful careers away from the rink. It is paramount to see the Otters are one of the top developmental organizations in the world and look to continue this legacy as they embark on their 30th season in the NHL.