Schaefer is coming off of a breakout season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. He scored 32 goals and 58 points across 66 games in the regular season and then added six goals and 21 points over the course of 25 playoff games as the Thunderbirds lost to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Final.

Here’s what Corey Pronman of The Athletic said about Schaefer when the Oilers selected him at No. 32 overall…

“I know he isn’t the sexiest player from a speed/highlight perspective, but he’s a big, nasty goal-scoring winger whose skill level won me over during the course of the season.”

Though Schaefer will return to the WHL for 2022-23, inking his entry-level deal means that he can join the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL once his season with the Thunderbirds has come to an end. Schaefer turns 19 years old in September so this will be his last season in the WHL.

Schaefer has been at the Oilers’ development camp in Edmonton this week and the word is that he’s impressed with his combination of size, skill, and shooting, but that his skating needs a little bit of work.

SCHAEFER’S JUNIOR CAREER SO FAR

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	PGP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019-20	Spruce Grove Saints	AJHL	33	6	10	16	32		2	0	0	0	2
2019-20	Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	7	0	1	1	9	1
2020-21	Spruce Grove Saints	AJHL	3	0	0	0	2
2020-21	Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	18	0	2	2	14	-4
2021-22	Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	66	32	26	58	88	29	25	6	15	21	32