Islanders Rookie Matthew Schaefer Impresses in His Debut Season

Brayden Schenn, who spent the entire season in the Western Conference, was unfamiliar with what the Islanders had in rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. On the other hand, Tony DeAngelo humorously noted that he pays little attention to the draft, claiming he knows more about overseas prospects than North American ones.

Adam Pelech had done some summer training with Schaefer, so when it came time for him to join the team, there wasn’t much doubt about his readiness. Pelech even felt confident that Schaefer would make an immediate impact. Yet, the true scope of what Schaefer would achieve in his first season remained a mystery.

Even though the Islanders’ season fell short of expectations, finishing outside the playoff spots and losing 10 of their final 14 games, Schaefer’s remarkable season stood out. He broke multiple records, finishing with 23 goals—tying the record for rookie defensemen—and accumulating 59 points. Now he’s the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy, with the only uncertainty being whether his win will be unanimous.

To truly grasp Schaefer’s impact on the team, one needs to understand his character. On his farewell day, when reflecting on what he learned, Schaefer shared, “I think I always wanted a sister,” referring to Matt Martin’s family. Martin’s family welcomed him into their circle, and he quickly formed a close bond with the twin daughters, who playfully keep him in check.

Schaefer’s upbeat personality seemed to lift the team, especially during the good times this season. It’s clear that he possesses the qualities of a future team captain, although it may take some time before that becomes official.

In the long term, his influence on the Islanders may mirror Sidney Crosby’s impact on the Penguins. Crosby’s teammate once remarked that he was among the best players in the league at just 18. Four years later, Crosby had secured championships and numerous accolades.

Throughout the season, various players echoed similar sentiments about Schaefer’s abilities. For instance, Anders Lee remarked that Schaefer made the league take notice, while Cal Richie commented that Schaefer doesn’t even feel like a rookie. Matt Barzal expressed his long-standing admiration for teams like Colorado and Vancouver for their young talent, now grateful to finally have a standout player like Schaefer.

At just 82 games into his career, Schaefer still has much potential ahead of him. He has room to build strength, which will aid him as he navigates the demands of a full season. Even though this season was impressive, being young means he has years to refine his skill set. In just a few years, he’ll be physically at his best.

It’s likely that Hockey Canada will invite Schaefer to represent the country in the upcoming world championships in Switzerland, and on breakup day, he expressed interest in the opportunity. Compared to last summer, which was incredibly hectic, he anticipates a lighter schedule this time around.

“Last summer I was all over the place and couldn’t be home for at least a week. This summer will be great because I want to focus on improving. I need to get stronger, and that means eating well and hitting the gym,” Schaefer explained. “I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends and taking a little break. But after that, I’ll train hard for next season. There are big goals we want to achieve as a team.”