Young Hockey Player Faces Excitement in Toronto
TORONTO — To get a sense of Tuesday for Matthew Schaefer, imagine not just the swarm of media around him after morning practice, but also a moment later in a quieter corner of Scotiabank Arena.
The scene is a bit of a jumble here in Toronto, especially with so many players hailing from the area. Schaefer found himself being pulled in various directions, trying to pose for pictures before his first game in the NHL city nearest to his hometown. He estimated that nearly 1,000 people would come to watch him later, though only a small fraction showed up in the morning. Yet, he was undeniably the center of attention.
This was the Islanders’ only trip to Toronto for the season, so it’s no surprise everyone wanted a piece of him.
“It feels somewhat the same, being around family and friends from my childhood,” Schaefer said, acknowledging the support he expected. “I might be exaggerating a little, but yeah, it should be a lot of people.”
Let’s consider that Schaefer likely didn’t personally arrange tickets for more than 5 percent of the arena’s capacity. This estimate, which includes individuals from Stony Creek, Ontario, who purchased their tickets and traveled 45 minutes, still signifies a big deal in Toronto. On this day, an 18-year-old local kid stepped into one of the sport’s significant moments.
“This is quite an achievement,” said Maple Leafs forward John Tavares, who understands this moment well. “He’s doing something rare. It’s really impressive. He’s not only a franchise player but also entering the conversation of generational talent.”
Tavares pointed out Schaefer’s transition to defenseman at such a young age and praised his contributions to the team’s defense.
Interestingly, Tavares made this observation in Toronto’s locker room, eight years after leaving the Islanders. Schaefer mentioned that somewhere in his childhood there’s footage of him cheering “Go Leafs Go,” but he dismissed the idea that he was feeling nostalgic.
“We weren’t frequent attendees, but my dad had been a Leafs fan since I was young,” he shared. “We’ve been following the team as they progress. Now, we’re all big Islanders fans.”
Despite the crowd cheering for him, Schaefer didn’t assign any special weight to this game just because it was in Toronto. He noted that the priority for the Islanders was to earn a couple of points in this crucial playoff match, though he didn’t delve deep into that thought. (What he didn’t say was that, with the Leafs facing some challenges, on paper, this appeared to be their easiest game during a tough stretch of visits to Ottawa and Montreal.)
The Islanders’ playoff hopes hinge significantly on Schaefer’s performance. His stats are impressive, and he might be on track for the best season ever by an 18-year-old defenseman in the league, but his influence goes beyond numbers.
“I’d prefer not to think about it,” head coach Patrick Roy remarked when asked about the team without Schaefer.
On a day when fans might see more No. 48 jerseys than No. 91 in the stands, Schaefer didn’t focus on himself.
“We have an incredible team. The coaches and players have really supported me,” Schaefer said. “At 18, being in the NHL is a big deal. They’ve helped me adjust. It can be a bit different when you’re younger and there are older players around. Their guidance has been really beneficial.”
“Everyone from the trainers to the staff has played a role in getting me to this moment. They have plenty of experience in the league, and I want to continue learning from them.”
