![\"Matthew](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-06-27T213944Z_1932509247_MT1USATODAY26545827_RTRMADP_3_NHL-NHL-DRAFT.jpg\" "\\"Matthew")
\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Matthew Schaefer arrives to the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
EAST MEADOW, NY \u2014 For an 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer\u2019s scouting report has led with maturity beyond his years just as much as his elite skating ability or high hockey IQ.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was little question whether or not the 2025 NHL Draft\u2019s No. 1 overall pick was going to make the New York Islanders out of camp. That was confirmed on Monday when general manager Mathieu Darche released the opening-night roster for Thursday\u2019s tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now comes the fun part of watching him settle into his role as a cornerstone of the Islanders\u2019 defense, as head coach Patrick Roy has been galvanized by Schaefer\u2019s self-assurance for such a young player.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWatch his swagger, how confident he is on the ice,\u201d Roy said following Tuesday\u2019s practice. \u201cFor an 18-year-old playing with guys who have so much experience and see that swagger, seeing the way he moves. That\u2019s what you want from any young player. You want to see them going and have fun with their friends and have that swagger, that confidence, that trust in themselves. The X\u2019s and O\u2019s are all cool, but at the end of the day, the personality, how they skate, how they handle those rushes.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Schaefer is about to undertake is rare. There have only been three other blue liners taken No. 1 overall in the last 10 years. The most recent, Owen Power, appeared in just eight games during his first season with the Buffalo Sabres.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the timing is perfect for the Hamilton, Ontario native. New York has moved out of the shadow of Lou Lamoriello\u2019s regime, an aging core has begun to shift, and an injection of young, legitimate talent to build the future upon was a necessity. Schaefer now gets to assimilate to the NHL lifestyle where expectations are not sky-high while continuing to make his mark in the locker room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yes, that already is happening.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say yes,\u201d Roy said when asked if Schaefer\u2019s swagger was infectious. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit like \u2014 and I don\u2019t want to compare the two players \u2014 but when you watch [Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale] Makar playing, you\u2019re excited. I think he has that gift. When I look at him moving with that puck, it\u2019s exciting. Not just for me, or the players, but I think our fans are going to have fun, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
His first pro assignment is as awe-inspiring as one can find in the pros, as he\u2019ll lineup against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be pretty cool,\u201d Schaefer said. \u201cPlaying in the NHL<\/a>, playing against guys like that, but when you get on the ice, you have to zone it out\u2026 I\u2019m just taking it day by day. You get drafted for a reason, you want to go out, forget about the media, and just play your game.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery step of the way has been a step in the right direction\u2026 I want to keep getting better. I want to keep working on things, but it\u2019s a dream come true. But it\u2019s the game of hockey. The work starts now.\u201d<\/p>\n