BUFFALO, NY -- Losing loved ones is something that everyone can relate to, but it's not something everyone feels comfortable talking about. NHL Draft prospect and potentially the New York Islanders [http://thn.com/isles]' No. 1 selection, Matthew Schaefer [https://www.theelmonters.com/p/matthew-schaefer-nhl-combine-new-york-islanders-combine-draft], hasn't shied away from talking about the grief he's endured. Over the last few years, he lost his billet mother before losing his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer last February. Somehow, Schaefer has found a way to turn the toughest of moments into positives. “She passed when I was 16. It's never going to get easier. I think that's pretty well said right there," Schaefer told a few of us Islanders media members on Friday afternoon. "Mom's a big part of my family. I love her to death. When I'm sick, she's the first person I'm calling to come lay with me. So yeah, it's definitely a tough loss to the family, but I'm happy she's not suffering. "I mean, seeing her go through something as scary as that, you never want to see a loved one go through that. And I'm happy she's not suffering. She’s happy." The way Schaefer talks about his mom, in the present tense, is a beautiful thing, as she truly is always with him every step of the way. "She has a front-row seat to every hockey game I play, so that's good," Schaefer said with a huge smile. "I know she's smiling and loves watching. She’s probably banging on the glass, getting me going. No, I'm joking. She's not one of those. She's more just sit back and watch. "When I come out, she’ll tell me I played a good game no matter what." The 17-year-old -- he's one of the most mature 17-year-olds you will ever meet -- wanted to share a story about his mom. "She'd go in the net, and I'd shoot on her. I'd be on rollerblades in hockey equipment. Me and my brother would run 1 v 1, and then my mom would be in the net in goalie equipment. So yeah, she's taught me a lot. We play mini sticks against her. So yeah, I care about her so much. I'm happy she's not suffering. I know she's with me in spirit all the time. And, you know, throughout everything I go through, I know the ups and downs, I have her strength because she was a really strong woman, probably one of the strongest people, if not the strongest person, I know. "I pray to my mom before every game and every night. I love to talk to her." It's one thing to handle grief. It's another thing to help others through their own. Even at the combine, Schaefer went to talk to young kids about grief and working through it at the WNY Compassion Connection Grief Center. "It means a lot. I love to help people. I hope to try to put people's minds at ease in a way," Schaefer said. "I know grief is tough. I know people take grief differently. I love talking about my mom and her legacy and character and how happy she was. She'd come in a room, light up the room with her smile no matter what, and everything she went through with cancer, she always had a smile on her face. She always wanted to do things for her family instead of herself. "I did a grief visit on Monday. It means a lot for me to be able to do that. I know my mom would be very happy about what I'm doing, but, yeah, just, just helping kids. It's very sad. I mean, getting to play games to get their minds off it...it makes me happy to see them smile with everything they've been through. It's tough. You never wish that upon anyone, and you would never think it would be your family. And then, when you know you lose someone you love, that really impacts you. So yeah, it means a lot for me to be able to be doing this." There may be questions marks regarding Schaefer. Will the Islanders draft him at No. 1? Will he go back to the OHL or go play in the NCAA if he doesn't make an NHL roster. Is he NHL ready? But one thing that's solidified in stone is that every step of the way, his mom is right by his side, helping him through it all. To see how he handles grief is beautiful, and hopefully, with his outspokenness about it, he can help others. Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
