Islanders' DeBoer Raves About Rookie Phenom Schaefer

New head coach impressed by teenage defenseman's historic season

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, vibrant colors, breaking down a hockey scene into sharp, overlapping geometric planes and abstract shapes, without any recognizable faces, logos or text.A cubist interpretation of a high-intensity hockey moment, capturing the raw energy and movement of the game through fragmented geometric forms.Today in Pittsburgh

In his debut as the New York Islanders' new head coach, Pete DeBoer was blown away by the performance of rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who tied the franchise's rookie scoring record with his 23rd goal of the season in a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Why it matters

Schaefer's breakout season has been a bright spot for the Islanders, who are in a tight race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. DeBoer's praise of the young star indicates Schaefer could be a key part of the team's future plans as they push for the postseason.

The details

Schaefer, a teenage phenom, has been the Islanders' best player this season and is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year. In Thursday's game, his 23rd goal of the season tied the franchise record for most goals by a rookie defenseman. DeBoer, who was making his debut as Islanders head coach, said he was blown away by Schaefer's performance, telling his coaching staff 'they've seen him every night this year. So you probably get a little bit numb to it. But for me, watching him from the bench live like that, it was just wow. I mean, what a player.'

  • The Islanders hired Pete DeBoer as their new head coach recently.
  • DeBoer made his debut as Islanders head coach on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • Schaefer tied the Islanders' rookie defenseman scoring record with his 23rd goal of the season in Thursday's game.

The players

Pete DeBoer

The new head coach of the New York Islanders, who was impressed by the performance of rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer in his debut game.

Matthew Schaefer

A teenage phenom and rookie defenseman for the New York Islanders, who is having a historic season and is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I told the coaching staff in there, they've seen him every night this year. So you probably get a little bit numb to it. But for me, watching him from the bench live like that, it was just wow. I mean, what a player.”

— Pete DeBoer, Head Coach, New York Islanders

What’s next

The Islanders are in a tight race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, currently tied on points with the Detroit Red Wings for the best non-playoff team in the East. They are just one point behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders have three games remaining on their schedule and will face the Ottawa Senators, another team in the playoff hunt, on Saturday.

The takeaway

Matthew Schaefer's historic rookie season has been a bright spot for the Islanders, and new head coach Pete DeBoer's praise of the young star indicates he could be a key part of the team's future plans as they push for the postseason. Schaefer's performance has impressed even the veteran coach, who was blown away by what he saw from the rookie in his debut game.