Five OHL alumni make their NHL Debuts

Thursday, October 9th was a big night for five OHL alumni, as Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters/New York Islanders), Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals/Anaheim Ducks), Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds/Nashville Predators), Hunter Haight (Barrie Colts/Saginaw Spirit/Minnesota Wild), and Curtis Douglas (Barrie Colts/Windsor Spitfires/Tampa Bay Lightning) all made their NHL debuts.

 

Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters)

The first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer wasted no time making an impression, recording his first NHL point with an assist on the Islanders’ opening goal. Stationed alone in the faceoff circle, he found Jonathan Drouin in the slot for a quick pass that set up a one-timer. The assist made Schaefer the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a point in his debut.

He finished the night with 1A, one hit, one shot, a +1 rating, and 17:15 of ice time.

“I felt good. You know, the first couple of shifts there were some jitters, but after that you go from there,” Schaefer said postgame. “It was a great experience and a good first game for sure.”

Islanders head coach Patrick Roy praised his rookie’s composure: “I thought he was really good. He was good at the end. He was throwing pucks at the net. He seems very comfortable, very confident out there. I’m very pleased with him.”

Schaefer’s debut was made even more special with his dad, brother, and 25 family members and friends in attendance to witness the milestone.

First NHL game ✅
First NHL point ✅

Matthew Schaefer picks up the assist for his first point! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/MKdVqqZAq1

— NHL (@NHL) October 9, 2025

Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)

A 2024 first-round pick, Beckett Sennecke made an immediate impact, scoring Anaheim’s lone goal and earning his first NHL point by tapping in a backdoor pass from Mason McTavish.

The 19-year-old winger finished with 1G, three shots, one block, three hits, a +1 rating, and 17:24 of ice time.

“I think it was one of those blank moments where you’re not really thinking during it, but it was so satisfying watching it go in,” he said postgame. “It was pretty special that my family was here to see that tonight.”

His parents and sister were in the crowd to witness both his debut and his first career goal.

Beckett Sennecke finds the back of the net in his first NHL game! 🦆

The youth movement is in full swing in Anaheim. #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/xEY0tEQV55

— NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2025

Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds)

Selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Brady Martin made his debut centering Nashville’s top line between veterans Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly. The 18-year-old logged 12:44 of ice time in his first NHL appearance.

“It was really cool and pretty electric in the building tonight,” Martin said postgame. “Just to get the first one under my belt was a lot of fun. It’s tough coming into the league as an 18-year-old, going up against guys who’ve been here a long time, but I think I held my own.”

Martin’s family surprised him by showing up for his pregame ‘Gold Walk.’ In total, 30 family members and friends made the trip from Elmira, Ontario, to witness his debut. “I didn’t know they were going to be standing there,” he added. “It was super special to have them here.”

Take a lap no. 44 👏 pic.twitter.com/kFVGXjy0sf

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) October 9, 2025

Hunter Haight (Saginaw Spirit)

Recalled from the AHL earlier in the week, Hunter Haight made his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild. During his rookie lap, the 21-year-old took his first shot — into the empty net.

“I just made sure to hit the net,” he joked postgame, admitting he blacked out during the moment. “It was kind of a reality check, like, I’m actually dressed for an NHL game.”

Haight recorded 10:27 of ice time, two hits, and won 62% of his faceoffs while centering the Wild’s fourth line.

“Just a great feeling to finally play in that game,” he said. “To be part of the NHL officially. I just want to carry this momentum and build off it so I can stay up here.”

His parents and girlfriend were in attendance for his debut.

Hunter Haight rookie lap!!!!!!#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/8z09pHUBW4

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 10, 2025

Curtis Douglas (Windsor Spitfires)

For 25-year-old Curtis Douglas, it’s been a whirlwind week. On Monday, he was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay from the Utah Mammoth after 261 career AHL games. Three days later, he suited up for his first NHL game, logging just over five minutes of ice time.

At 6-foot-9, Douglas became only the third player in NHL history to stand that tall, joining Zdeno Chara and Matt Rempe. He also wasted no time showing fans what to expect, dropping the gloves with Ottawa’s Kurtis MacDermid just seconds into his first NHL shift.

“It’s a home opener, it’s your first game, and you get into a fight on your first shift. I think the crowd appreciated it — and so did the team,” said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper postgame. “The guy he was going against is a big boy himself, so good on him; it was a positive impact.”

His parents, brothers, and several close friends made the trip to Tampa to watch him hit the ice for the first time.

Enjoy the ride, Curtis ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/1GpT9FurTy

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 9, 2025