There was a somewhat playful suggestion to recruit Matthew Schafer from potential college opportunities for islanders heading back to school in the fall.
However, Schafer isn’t interested in attending college, nor is he planning to return to Ellie Otter in the OHL.
When he came back to Long Island for training camp in September, he had no plans of leaving.
“I’m not focused on college,” Schafer mentioned after the development camp wrapped up on Thursday. “My aim is to play here on the island. This is my top priority. I’m not considering anything else. I’m excited to put in the effort this summer to make it happen.”
Throughout the four days of the development camp, Schafer stood out as the main attraction.
The islanders’ practice facilities thrived during Wednesday’s scrimmages, pulling in a considerable crowd even on a weekday morning.
This was significant for Schafer, as excitement mounted whenever he had the puck, making his new No. 48 jersey hard to miss.
“If he scores on one of those plays, I think the roof will go up,” commented Islander coach Patrick Roy.
While making the roster isn’t guaranteed, Schafer’s performance this week showcased his promising potential.
Even during lighter practice sessions, his skating abilities were evident, along with his talent for puck movement and creating outlet passes during Wednesday’s scrimmage.
Bridgeport coach Rocky Thompson, who facilitated the development camp, aimed to push players beyond their comfort zones to foster new skills.
Schafer particularly shined, even with simple tasks like maintaining his vision while skating.
“He’s already demonstrating that,” Thompson said. “So you can say he’s adding that offensive edge to his game.”
One area Schafer needs to focus on before September is building strength on his 17-year-old frame.
While he doesn’t have a specific weight target, he does have a meal plan to help him add muscle.
“I feel more powerful that way,” Schafer noted. “If I were around 190 pounds but more muscular, that’d be great. Of course, I want to keep my mobility, so I understand the balance—definitely planning to hit the gym.”
