LOS ANGELES — Matthew Schaefer thought he might cry. 

The tears indeed fell as Schaefer kissed the cancer ribbon on his Islanders jersey, the one given to him by Gary Bettman moments after the NHL commissioner announced the defenseman from Stoney Creek, Ontario, as the No. 1 pick in the draft. 

Amid what has become a hugely consequential weekend for the Islanders, this was Mathieu Darche’s biggest decision and his easiest.

Schaefer became the first top pick to go to the Islanders since John Tavares in 2009 and the first defenseman to do so since Denis Potvin in 1973. 

The tearful moment on stage at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles made official what has been widely expected for weeks. 

“I think it’s just my mom, for sure,” Schaefer said through tears on stage. “I miss her a lot and I wish she could be here today.” 

The tragedy endured by Schaefer has become well-told over the last few weeks. His mother, Jennifer, died of cancer last year just two months after his billet mom, Emily Matson, died of suicide.

Schaefer has spoken again and again about what his mom means to him, how he’s dealt with the grief and how proud she would have been to see him realize a dream Friday. 

It’s just one piece of the character that left an indelible impression on teams amid the process, including the Islanders. 

“It’s a great day for the Islander organization,” Darche told Schaefer on stage. “Your parents should be extremely proud of you. I know your mom is proud of you. Can’t wait to see you.” 

Schaefer played just 17 games last season with the OHL’s Erie Otters because of illness and two more with Team Canada at the World Juniors, where he was Canada’s best defenseman before crashing into the net and breaking his clavicle, an injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. 

Schaefer confirmed Thursday that he’s since been fully cleared and will be on the ice for development camp starting Monday. 

“I dreamed about it my whole life,” Schaefer said. “To hear your name called is pretty cool. As you guys could see, I couldn’t control the tears. Thinking about my mom a little extra today, I know she’d be proud. Would love for her to be here in person, but obviously, cancer sucks. I know she’s with me in spirit. I know she’s happy, smiling down and always looking.” 

Despite the limited playing time last season, the 17-year-old Schaefer rose to the top of draft boards this season thanks to the way he dominated when he was on the ice.

Scouting reports and experts say he is a superlative skater and puck mover who can play both ways and on both specialty teams. 

“The kid, first and foremost, we’re drafting ’cause he’s an unbelievable hockey player,” Darche said on a Zoom call. “Obviously, the human being is exceptional. A 17-year-old to have that resilience, maturity with everything that he’s gone through, is beyond impressive, honestly. I haven’t met many 17-year-old kids that act like him.” 

The lefty, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 185 pounds, will need to put on some muscle and is not a lock to start next season with the Islanders. However, that is his goal, and it is certainly hard to see him returning to Erie to play another season in a league he’s outgrown.

Schaefer also said Thursday he has yet to speak with any colleges about playing in the NCAA next season. 

While trading Noah Dobson earlier Friday opened a spot on the blue line for the Islanders, Schaefer does not look like the solution there unless he’s playing his off side. Adam Boqvist, a lefty, played the right side multiple times last season, so that could be a possibility next season, or the Islanders could go to free agency to address that spot. 

Regardless, the path will be open in development camp and training camp for Schaefer to secure a spot in the lineup on opening night. 

“I want to battle to make the roster and the work starts now so I can make that opening-day roster,” Schaefer said. “… It’s such an honor to be an Islander.”