It was a first pitch for the first pick.

Matthew Schaefer , who was selected by the New York Islanders with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field before the New York Mets faced off against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

As Schaefer walked to the mound for the pitch, the Islanders announced that they had signed him to a three-year, entry-level deal .

Prior to the first pitch, Schaefer met up with Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo in the hallway outside the locker room. The two exchanged jerseys, with Nimmo also giving the 17-year-old defenseman a pink Breast Cancer Awareness bat.

Schaefer lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer in February of 2024.

“That was amazing. Honestly, [Brandon] Nimmo is such a class act,” Schaefer said.

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