Young NHL Star Matthew Schaefer Adjusting to Life with the Islanders
Matthew Schaefer, an 18-year-old sensation in the hockey world, seems surprisingly composed as he navigates his rookie season with the New York Islanders. Just a month in, he remains calm, both on the ice and off.
“I’ve been to New York City once a few years back, but that’s about it. I didn’t really know much about Long Island,” he reflected after practice. It seems, though, that he’s settling in well. “Now, I feel like I’ve known this place forever,” he added. Notably, Schaefer recently surpassed Bobby Orr’s record, earning accolades as the youngest defenseman to achieve a multi-point game.
His journey hasn’t been straightforward. Schaefer quickly won the hearts of fans, especially given his emotional depth stemming from the loss of his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer earlier this year. “She lit up every room,” he said during Hockey Fights Cancer Month. “Her smile, her laugh, always joking around.” For Schaefer, she continues to be a presence. He reminisced about her jersey on draft night, adorned with her initials and a breast cancer awareness ribbon. He’s also considering engaging in local activism concerning cancer awareness.
Living the Good Life
In a supportive environment, Schaefer resides with former Islander Matt Martin, his wife, Sydney, and their children. “We do a lot of things together, including some gaming,” he said, hinting at the camaraderie he shares with Martin, who works closely with the team. He joked about needing Martin’s guidance to toughen up, mentioning how they often watch “Paw Patrol” together.
Interestingly, Schaefer has started borrowing clothes from Martin’s wardrobe for games. “My pre-game routine? I text his wife when I wake up from my nap, and she has an outfit ready for me. It’s all his stuff.” He laughed about how you don’t really have to stress about appearance when heading to the rink. This new dressing ritual seems to stir fond memories of his mother, who used to dress him up in stylish outfits.
There’s more to Schaefer than just his personal story. The atmosphere at UBS Arena exploded with excitement when he scored his first NHL goal during the home opener. “I love the fans, they’re incredibly passionate,” he shared, enthusiasm evident in his voice. He added a cheeky rivalry note, stating, “And we definitely aren’t fans of the Rangers.”
Connecting with Fans
Recently, Schaefer also entertained fans by joking about Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist during an interview. “It’s pretty tough to get a ranger to ask the first question,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. There’s a playful spirit among his teammates too; he recalled how Boomer Esiason humorously showed up wearing a Rangers jersey for Halloween, only to hide the logo when Schaefer was around.
He appreciates the traditional chants of Islanders fans, reminiscent of ones from his time in junior hockey. “Now we’re teasing the Rangers like we used to with the London Knights. It’s pretty cool,” he said after a big win against the Rangers.
Embracing Long Island Life
If there was any minor controversy for this young athlete, it came from an unusual bagel order he revealed. He later clarified that he actually ordered avocado—not guacamole. Nevertheless, Schaefer is loving exploring the local food scene, so much so that he boldly suggested his girlfriend might not want to head into town for dates when she visits. “Perhaps we’ll just hit the beach and take a walk,” he said, clearly enjoying the quieter moments.
Golfing is also on his agenda as he looks forward to exploring Long Island’s courses. Schaefer candidly admitted to being inconsistent with his swing. “On good days, I’m in the high 90s. On bad days, it’s more like the mid 100s,” he confessed.
Even amid the whirlwind of being a new NHL star, he stays grounded, partly thanks to his family’s support. “I wouldn’t be here without them,” he acknowledged, especially honoring his father, Todd, brother Johnny, and the memory of his mom. “I know she’s always with us in spirit… watching from the front row.”
