Islanders' Matthew Schaefer Ties NHL Rookie Defenseman Goal Record

Veteran Maple Leafs player jokes with Schaefer after historic achievement.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:34am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey player scoring a goal, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the dynamism of the moment.A cubist interpretation of a young hockey player's historic goal-scoring achievement, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.Philadelphia Today

New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer has tied the NHL record for most goals scored by a rookie defenseman in a season, matching the 23 goals scored by former New York Rangers player Brian Leetch. After Schaefer scored his 23rd goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs, veteran Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson congratulated him with a humorous quip, noting that Ekman-Larsson himself had scored 23 goals in a season when Schaefer was just 7 years old.

Why it matters

Schaefer's historic rookie season has been a bright spot for the Islanders, who are in a tight playoff race in the Metropolitan Division. Tying the NHL rookie defenseman goal record is a significant milestone that showcases Schaefer's offensive talent and potential as a young star in the league.

The details

Schaefer scored his 23rd goal of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs, tying the NHL rookie defenseman goal record set by former New York Rangers player Brian Leetch. After the goal, Maple Leafs veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson congratulated Schaefer, joking that he had also scored 23 goals in a season when Schaefer was just 7 years old.

  • Schaefer scored his 23rd goal of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 10, 2026.
  • Ekman-Larsson scored 23 goals in a season when Schaefer was 7 years old.

The players

Matthew Schaefer

An 18-year-old rookie defenseman for the New York Islanders who has tied the NHL record for most goals scored by a rookie defenseman in a season.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

A veteran defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs who congratulated Schaefer on tying the rookie defenseman goal record, joking that he had also scored 23 goals in a season when Schaefer was just 7 years old.

Brian Leetch

A former defenseman for the New York Rangers who previously held the NHL record for most goals scored by a rookie defenseman in a season with 23.

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What they’re saying

“He's like, 'I had 23 goals one season. I don't know if you were born yet.'”

— Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders Defenseman

What’s next

The Islanders will look to continue their push for a playoff spot when they take on the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon. If Schaefer can continue his strong play, the Islanders could draw closer to a postseason berth.

The takeaway

Matthew Schaefer's historic rookie season has been a bright spot for the Islanders, and his record-tying goal against the Maple Leafs showcases his offensive talent. The veteran's humorous quip to Schaefer also highlights the camaraderie and respect between players in the NHL.