Islanders Rookie Schaefer Shines in Historic First Season

The 18-year-old defenseman tied a 34-year-old rookie record and led the team in ice time, earning praise from teammates and management.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue and orange representing the Islanders' colors.Schaefer's standout rookie season with the Islanders showcases the team's promising future, despite narrowly missing the playoffs.NYC Today

Matthew Schaefer, the New York Islanders' first-round draft pick in 2025, had a standout rookie season, tying a 34-year-old franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman and leading the team in average ice time. Despite the Islanders missing the playoffs, Schaefer's performance was a bright spot, with teammates and management marveling at his poise and production at just 18 years old.

Why it matters

Schaefer's historic rookie campaign provides hope for the Islanders' future, as the team looks to build around the young defenseman after narrowly missing the playoffs. His ability to step in and immediately make an impact at the NHL level is a rare feat, especially for a player drafted first overall.

The details

Schaefer, who is still five months away from his 19th birthday, tied Brian Leetch's franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman with 23. He played in all 82 games, was second on the team in points with 59, and led the Islanders in average time on ice at 24:41 per game, which ranked fourth in the NHL. Despite the Islanders' late-season struggles, Schaefer marveled at his first NHL experience, saying, 'It was an amazing year. Obviously, we wish we could have gone to the playoffs, but for me, overall, I've learned so much and everyone's helped me so much. I really enjoyed my first year on the island.'

  • Schaefer tied Leetch's rookie record for goals by a defenseman on April 9, in the Islanders' final game of the season.
  • Schaefer was considered for the Canadian Olympic team but was ultimately passed over.

The players

Matthew Schaefer

An 18-year-old defenseman who was the Islanders' first-round draft pick in 2025 and had a historic rookie season, tying a franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman.

Brian Leetch

A former Islanders defenseman who set the franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman in the 1988-89 season, a record that stood for nearly 34 years until Schaefer tied it this season.

Mathieu Darche

The Islanders' general manager, who praised Schaefer's performance and said the team is 'lucky to have him.'

Casey Cizikas

A 35-year-old Islanders center who is the team's longest-tenured player, and who marveled at Schaefer's confidence and maturity on and off the ice.

Patrick Roy

The Islanders' head coach at the start of the season, before being replaced by Peter DeBoer with just four games left in the regular season.

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What they’re saying

“It was an amazing year. Obviously, we wish we could have gone to the playoffs, but for me, overall, I've learned so much and everyone's helped me so much. I really enjoyed my first year on the island.”

— Matthew Schaefer, Islanders Defenseman

“He's an unbelievable kid. He's got a great head on his shoulders, and what he did this year was unbelievable. It was a lot of fun to watch. It 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's no one better. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face, and he's a lot of fun to be around. I'm glad that he's here.”

— Casey Cizikas, Islanders Center

“Honestly, it's pretty rare to see a young guy be pretty much like this the whole year. He's been great. We're lucky to have him.”

— Mathieu Darche, Islanders General Manager

What’s next

Schaefer is considering representing Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Zurich and Freiburg, Switzerland, later this month, which Darche indicated will be Schaefer's choice.

The takeaway

Schaefer's standout rookie season with the Islanders has provided a much-needed boost of youth and talent to the veteran-laden roster, and his historic performance has the team and its fans excited about the future. Despite narrowly missing the playoffs, Schaefer's maturity, production, and potential have made him a cornerstone for the Islanders to build around going forward.