As the New York Islanders neared the end of the 2024-2025 NHL season, the hockey team had just missed being in contention for the Stanley Cup after a shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Injuries to center Mathew Barzal and goalie Semyon Varlamov turned fans’ hopes of making the playoffs to shreds.

While the Isles missed the playoffs last year, this season, they have a significant chance—thanks to Matthew Schaefer.

Schaefer, an 18-year-old defenseman, was picked first overall in the 2025 NHL draft.

Fans didn’t know what to expect when Schaefer took the ice for the first time as an Islander at PPG Paints Arena on October 9, 2025. He assisted veteran Jonathan Drouin in scoring the first goal in their loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins and was the youngest defenseman in league history to record one in his debut. The Canada native was awarded Rookie of the Month as a result of his outstanding performance in his first month in the league, scoring 3 goals and assisting 5.

During a game at Madison Square Garden versus the New York Rangers in January, Isles fans chanted, “Schaef! Schaef! Schaef!” after he scored the Islanders’ second goal of the game, extending their lead. The Long Island team took the win and the season sweep against the Rangers. As of February 4th, 2026, the Islanders are third in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 30-20-5.

Matthew Schaefer gave the Islanders the push they needed to become one step closer to hanging a banner in the rafters of UBS Arena, and for himself, one step closer to the Calder Memorial Trophy. “I love this place. I just love this place,” he says. “I could see myself being here for a long time. I want to be here forever.”