Rookie of the Year in the making: Matthew Schaefer lights up the NHL

Defenseman Matthew Schaefer continues his historic rookie campaign with the New York Islanders, becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a 20-goal season while emerging as the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy.

Photo courtesy of Andrew NYR/Wikimedia Commons

The New York Islanders hit the jackpot when they took defenseman Matthew Schaefer as the number one overall pick in the 2025 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft. Schaefer has been an undeniable phenom, lighting up the box score just about every time he is on the ice. 

The 18-year-old has notched 44 points over a total of 61 games, with 20 goals and 24 assists, making him the first rookie this season to reach the 20-goal mark. Not only the first this season, but Schaefer is also the youngest defenseman in NHL history to score 20 goals in a season. As if those stats were not impressive enough, he has also recorded 146 shots on goal, 84 blocks, 30 Penalty Infraction Minutes (PIM), and a plus-14 rating. Long story short, the kid is insane.

After his first career three-point game against the Florida Panthers on Sunday, Mar. 1, Schaefer etched his name into franchise history. He became the first Islanders defenseman since Dennis Potvin in the 1985-86 season to reach a 20-goal rookie season. He also surpassed Phil Housley for the most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history. The milestone performance capped off a remarkable stretch that earned him recognition as one of the NHL’s Stars of the Week.

With the recognition, Schaefer cements his place in franchise history. He becomes the third Islander to earn NHL Star of the Week this season and just the fourth defenseman in franchise history to receive the distinction. He is also the first Islanders rookie since forward Mathew Barzal to receive the weekly honor, and notably, the only rookie defenseman in franchise history. Earlier this season, he was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for October, adding yet another milestone to his breakout season.

In addition to his remarkable and historic individual season, his play on both ends of the ice has made the Islanders a serious playoff contender. They are currently sitting tied at second with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division with a total of 75 points. Long Island is buzzing with the anticipation of what Schaefer will do in the playoffs and the future, if this is just his rookie season.

Schaefer is also the undeniable favorite in the race for the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s top rookie. Sure, the rest of the rookies are putting up good numbers, but Schaefer is otherworldly. His impact on both the defensive and offensive sides of the puck and the momentum he is generating, not only for his Hall of Fame plaque but for the Islanders as well, is something that the other rookies just cannot compete with.

He spoke about his success so far, saying, “I wouldn’t be able to do it if it weren’t for these guys…They made it such an easy transition to come into the NHL, come to a team that I didn’t know a lot about before coming here as an 18-year-old. They brought me in with welcoming arms, and it’s just so fun playing with them, gaining chemistry and keeping it going through the season.”

The Islanders do not just have Schaefer to thank for their success on the ice, but off of it as well. New York Islanders president of business operations Kelly Cheeseman spoke on Schaefer’s impact, saying, “We’re leading the league in social media content and engagement, and a lot of it is because of what [Schaefer’s] doing…Then you look at something like this week. He breaks Phil Housley’s [rookie scoring for a defenseman] record, he’s the story across the National Hockey League and our sport. [PR chief] Kimber [Auerbach] and our media team have done a really good job of getting him out and he’s had a really good willingness to get out there.”

With his rookie season only halfway finished and already breaking franchise records and capturing the attention of the hockey world, Matthew Schaefer’s impact is undeniable. As the playoffs approach, one thing is clear: all eyes will be on the 18-year-old phenom and his ability to sustain this momentum in the postseason.