First overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Youngest defenseman ever to score multiple goals in a game. Youngest player ever to score an NHL overtime goal. At just 18, Matthew Schaefer is already being talked about as a generational talent. That comes with expectations—high ones. But nobody holds Matthew to a higher standard than himself.
"I have high expectations for myself, and I love to work hard and get better at things each and every day," he tells us during a recent photoshoot.
For Matthew, progress is built one rep at a time. One session at a time. One day at a time. That's NOBULL. And that's why we're proud to welcome him to the NOBULL roster.
A hockey star partnering with a training footwear brand might raise an eyebrow. After all, hockey players wear skates, not training shoes. But Matthew's work starts long before he laces his skates.
"Whether it's in the gym, on the ice, there's a lot of things I look to improve," he says.
The early mornings. The quiet hours in the gym. The work no one sees. The visualization, focus, and pre-game rituals that dial in mental preparation. These are the standards Matthew lives by.
Outwork: Earned, Not Given
It's not unusual to look at someone so young, with so much talent, and assume it comes easy. But talent only gets you so far. Effort builds the skill that carries talent forward. Matthew knows discipline beats motivation, and consistency takes you to the next level.
"Outwork can mean a lot of things... Each and every time, you're going to give the best effort you have, and you're going to outwork whoever comes at you," he tells us. "Pressure's a privilege. Just keep working hard toward your goals and enjoy the grind."
That mindset shows up everywhere. On the ice. In the gym. In the moments no one's watching. To be great, you have to want it—to compete, to win, to be better than you were yesterday. For some, that means getting up early for a workout. For Matthew, the stage is bigger. The lights are brighter. The expectations are louder.
"I always want to be the first on the puck. I want to be the guy scoring. I hate losing, so I always want to win and do my best," he says.
Outworking everyone is the baseline. Not hype. Not shortcuts. Just showing up and earning it every day.
Locked In: Game-Ready Mindset
Hard work is just the start. Staying locked in separates the good from the great. At Matthew's level, preparation isn't just physical. The work begins before the puck drops, before the crowd noise, before the moment demands everything.
"I have a whole routine leading up to the game. I follow everything I need to do each and every day, so by game time, I'm ready," he says. "Before the game, I put on my headphones, do a quick lift, stretch, and get really dialed in."
It's not chaos. It's structure, a repeatable process that removes distraction and builds confidence. So when the moment comes, he doesn't have to think. He just plays.
But being locked in doesn't mean being wound tight. The best competitors know when to flip the switch and when to ease off, so they don't burn out.
"There's always a time and place to be dialed in very serious," Matthew adds. "And we know when to focus and when to have fun."
That balance keeps the work sustainable day after day. Focus isn't about intensity all the time. It's about being ready when it matters.
Stability: Grounded and Resilient
Talent and focus can take you far, but they're nothing without a solid foundation. Matthew knows that better than most. At 18, he's already faced adversity, and it's his support system—family, friends, and life experience—that keeps him steady.
"I lost my mom to cancer, and I know she's always there with me every step of the way," he says. "My dad, my brother, my friends, they keep me grounded. They see me as Matthew, not just a hockey player."
This groundedness fuels his performance and gives perspective, helping him navigate highs and lows.
"You can't be too high or too low when things are up and down," he says. "You've got to have an even keel in life and keep working toward your goals."
That foundation gives him the strength to push harder and go further each day.
Durability: Built to Last
Mental focus and a steady foundation are only part of the equation. To meet the relentless pace of the NHL, Matthew needs a body, mind, and gear built to last. The hits, the speed, the grind of a long season—hockey leaves its mark. Staying strong means thinking long-term, day in and day out.
"I've got to take care of my body and do things so that it's durable when I'm playing at high levels," he says. "Whether it's equipment, shoes, clothes, anything, they've got to be really durable and strong enough to use."
Durability isn't just about surviving a season. It's about thriving through it. The gym sessions, the recovery hours, the gear—all matter. That's where we come in. We provide the tools for Matthew to put in the work and stay after it, day after day, season after season, year after year.
The Best Player? No. The Best Human.
Daily effort is the constant theme in Matthew's life, not just to be the best player, but the best person he can be. That's what matters most to him.
"Hockey is great, but it's the person you are that counts," he tells us. "My parents always raised me and my brother to just be a good person... Don't be arrogant. Hockey will fall into place, but your character matters."
That mindset guides every workout, challenge, and interaction, on and off the ice.
"NOBULL means to me that you bring 110% each and every day, you're a good human, and you work toward your goals," he says. "Everyone has each other's backs, and you keep going no matter what."
Matthew's story is a reminder that performance starts with character. You can outwork anyone, stay locked in, and endure the grind—but at the end of the day, it's how you show up as a human that lasts the longest.
