New York Islanders rookie defenceman Matthew Schaefer continues to show why he was chosen first overall in last year’s NHL draft.
Showing to be a special talent, this 18-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, playing what many believe is the hardest position in hockey, enjoyed a solid month of October, which saw him not only log 22:21 of ice time per game, but also rank second among rookies with eight points (three goals, five assists) over the first 11 games of his career.
It’s safe to say that many in the hockey world are cheering for Schaefer, who has had to deal with some crushing off-ice circumstances which no teenager should have to go through.
The worst heartache came back in February 2024, when after a two-year battle Jennifer Schaefer, Matthew’s mom, passed away from breast cancer. When drafted this past June by the Islanders, Schaefer was understandably extremely emotional and couldn’t say enough about his mom.
“Just seeing what my mom went through, having a smile on her face with cancer and everything trying to bring her down, but she wouldn’t let it bring her down. She’s someone I look up to,” Schaefer said.
Other off-ice tragedies which Schaefer has had to endure included losing his former billet mom Emily Matson, who passed away on December 11, 2023, along with losing someone else he knew well in Erie Otters owner Jim Waters, who in December 2024, passed away from a heart attack.
Schaefer knew Waters from his two years with the Otters with his second being in 2024-25, when in an injury plagued campaign, he scored seven goals along with 22 points and 8 PIMs in 17 games played.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life and I’m rather an injury than losing someone I love,” Schaefer said. “I mean, there’s a lot worse things that can happen than injuries.”
This teenage defenceman’s accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed as he was named October rookie of the month. Many rookies excelled during October including three Montreal Canadiens in goalie Jakub Dobes who went 6-0-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .930 save percentage along with forwards Ivan Demidov who had (two goals, seven assists) nine points and another forward in Oliver Kapanen who had seven points (four goals, three assists) and was a +1 during the season’s opening month.
Other notables in contention for October rookie of the month includes Detroit Red Wings forward Emmitt Finnie who has scored (four goals, four assists) eight points, Minnesota Wild defenceman Zeev Buium (two goals, six assists) eight points and St. Louis Blues forward Jimmy Snuggerud (four goals, three assists) who has seven points.
Islanders Defenceman Matthew Schaefer Named October Rookie of the Month
Schaefer’s October’s Accomplishments
From his first NHL shift, Schaefer has shown absolutely no nervousness as he didn’t waste time making a statement by creating some hockey history.
Showing no intimidation, this teenager set numerous records in October including passing Hall of Fame defenceman Scott Niedermayer in becoming the youngest player to record an NHL point.
Schaefer, who on October 9th , at 18 years and 34 days recorded his first point, an assist during a 4-3 loss at PPG Paints Arena, was 12 days younger than Niedermayer when he scored that first point.
To show just how good and consistent Schaefer was in October, the only defenceman in NHL history to record more points in the first 11 games of their career was Hall of Famer Phil Housley who playing for the Buffalo Sabres, recorded 10 points on his way to a solid rookie season, which saw him score 19 goals along with a respectable 66 points.
Schaefer also put his name in the NHL record books by becoming the youngest defenceman to ever score first goal in a game. That honour was previously held by Toronto Maple Leafs Ross Johnstone, who back on February 29, 1944, accomplished the feat at 17 years of age.
Schaefer’s Odds of Winning the Calder Trophy Drastically Improving
Prior to the puck dropping this season, FanDuel had the odds of Shaefer winning the Calder Trophy at 22-to-1. After a strong start, the odds drastically changed to +145. This just goes to show that the hockey world are becoming believers. Back in late October, Schaefer stepped up the offensive game and equaled a record of beginning a career with points in six straight games. And now the start Novemeber, he’s scored two goals in a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Schaefer tied defenceman Marek Zidlicky who as a rookie back in 2003-2004 playing for the Nashville Predators, went on to produce 14 goals along with 53 points as a rookie.
Main Image: James Guillory-Imagn Images
