Schaefer led all first-year players this season in time on ice per game (24:41), tied for the lead in goals (23) and was third in points (59) while playing all 82 games.
Among rookie defensemen, Schaefer, the No. 1 pick by the Islanders at the 2025 NHL Draft, ranked first in each category plus power-play goals (eight), power-play points (18), overtime goals (two), game-winning goals (four), shots on goal (222) and was second in plus/minus (plus-13).