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Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images<\/p>\nThe New York Islanders\u2019 2025-26 season may be over, but all anyone wanted to talk about at breakup day was Matthew Schaefer.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old defenseman\u2019s historic rookie season is still commanding that type of attention and excitement among his teammates, who can\u2019t wait to see his growth in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
Schaefer is still five months removed from his 19th birthday, but he tied Brian Leetch\u2019s nearly four-decade rookie record for goals by a rookie defenseman (23). The first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft played all 82 games, was second on the Isles in points (59) and led the team in average time on ice (24:41). He was fourth in the NHL in TOI this season.<\/p>\n
Matthew Schaefer had \u2018An Amazing Year\u2019 with the Islanders<\/p>\n
Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to go from picking first overall to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But the Islanders nearly did it.<\/p>\n
After winning the NHL Draft Lottery and landing arguably the most impactful top-picked defenseman ever, the Islanders were in a playoff position for much of the season, largely thanks to Schaefer\u2019s historic performance.<\/p>\n
Though the Isles faltered down the stretch, Schaefer marveled at his experience after completing his first NHL season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an amazing year,\u201d Schaefer said. \u201cObviously, we wish we could have gone to the playoffs, but for me, overall, I\u2019ve learned so much and everyone\u2019s helped me so much. I really enjoyed my first year on the island.\u201d<\/p>\n
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James Guillory-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Schaefer rightly pointed out that he started his year not knowing if he\u2019d be with the Islanders or back in junior with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. He was considered for Canada at the Milan\/Cortina Olympics, but was ultimately passed over. He endured a coaching change, from Patrick Roy to Peter DeBoer, who took over with just four games left in the regular season.<\/p>\n
Through it all, Schaefer was spectacular on the ice; he was unquestionably the Islanders\u2019 best skater all season. At 18 years and 36 days, he became the fourth-youngest player since 2000 to score his first NHL goal, then tied Leetch\u2019s record \u2014 set in 1988-89, nearly 20 years before Schaefer was born \u2014 in the Islanders\u2019 final win of the season on April 9.<\/p>\n
Even after all that, he is still mentally and physically capable of playing, even now.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, there\u2019s gonna be bumps and bruises,\u201d Schaefer said, \u201cbut I still feel like I can play another 82 [games].\u201d<\/p>\n
GM says Islanders \u2018lucky to have\u2019 Matthew Schaefer<\/p>\n
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James Guillory-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Islanders general manger Mathieu Darche confirmed Schaefer was ineligible to join Bridgeport of the AHL due to age restrictions. Schaefer called playing at the IIHF World Championship in Zurich and Froiburg, Switzerland, \u201ca possibility,\u201d and Darche indicated it\u2019ll be his choice whether to represent his home country later this month in Europe.<\/p>\n
Still, Schaefer is excited to have a little bit of downtime after a whirlwind year while focusing on getting stronger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think this summer will be as busy as last summer,\u201d Schaefer said. \u201cI was all over the place last summer; I couldn\u2019t stay home for a week last summer. It\u2019ll be a good summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darche himself hoped Schaefer could live the life of a normal teenager this offseason in Ontario.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost like he\u2019s going to ride his bike with his buddies and go buy gum at the convenience store,\u201d Darche said. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But his teammates can\u2019t wait to see Schaefer back on the ice after his breakout rookie season. The Islanders\u2019 veteran-laden roster \u2014 they had the seventh-oldest team in the NHL, even with the fresh-faced Schaefer playing every game \u2014 got a jolt of youth this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an unbelievable kid,\u201d said center Casey Cizikas, who at 35 years and 978 games is the longest-tenured Islander. \u201cHe\u2019s got a great head on his shoulders, and what he did this year was unbelievable. It was a lot of fun to watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a lot of fun to be a part of, and to see the confidence that he has in himself and in his game was remarkable, and the person he is off the ice, there\u2019s no one better. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face, and he\u2019s a lot of fun to be around. I\u2019m glad that he\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cizikas isn\u2019t the only one who appreciates what the Isles have in Schaefer.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, it\u2019s pretty rare to see a young guy be pretty much like this the whole year,\u201d Darche said. \u201cHe\u2019s been great. We\u2019re lucky to have him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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