Islanders Rookie Schaefer Impressed by Brady's Mentorship

18-year-old hockey player reflects on heartfelt first chat with NOBULL co-owner.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:23am

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New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer, who recently partnered with Tom Brady's athletic brand NOBULL, was left with a lasting impression after a brief 5-10 minute conversation with the NFL legend. Schaefer, still adjusting to life as a professional athlete at just 18 years old, was struck by Brady's genuine interest and mentorship during their first interaction.

Why it matters

As one of the most recognizable athletes of his generation, Tom Brady's ability to connect with and inspire the next wave of sports stars is a testament to his leadership and longevity. Schaefer's positive experience highlights Brady's commitment to nurturing young talent, which could pay dividends for NOBULL as the brand continues to grow.

The details

During their conversation, Brady expressed his excitement to work with Schaefer, with the rookie reciprocating the sentiment. Schaefer was impressed by Brady's focus on life advice and mentorship beyond just the business partnership, indicating the NFL star's holistic approach to supporting the next generation of athletes.

  • Schaefer and Brady recently partnered on a NOBULL collaboration.

The players

Matthew Schaefer

An 18-year-old rookie player for the New York Islanders who recently partnered with Tom Brady's athletic brand NOBULL.

Tom Brady

A legendary NFL quarterback and co-owner of the NOBULL athletic brand.

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What they’re saying

“I talked to him for probably a solid 5-10 minutes and we were just talking about life and everything. He was like, 'Well, I can't wait to partner with you.' I'm like, 'You can't wait? I can't wait to partner with you.'”

— Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders Rookie

The takeaway

Tom Brady's ability to connect with and inspire the next generation of athletes, even in a brief conversation, highlights his status as a transformative figure in sports. Schaefer's positive experience suggests Brady's holistic approach to mentorship could pay dividends for NOBULL as the brand continues to grow its influence.