‘Unflappable guy’: Matthew Schaefer off to strong sophomore start for Islanders

Pete DeBoer spent a lot of time watching video.

Out of the NHL most of last season, the veteran bench boss, in a supporting role on Canada’s staff for the league’s return to Olympic hockey, was tasked with a large chunk of the scouting work. 

An 18-year-old defenceman turning heads early in his professional career forced himself into the conversation. 

Matthew Schaefer was ultimately left off the roster that settled for a gut-wrenching silver medal at February’s Milan Cortina Games. DeBoer, however, would still get a chance to work alongside the blue-line phenom after being hired by the New York Islanders with four games left in the 2025-26 campaign.

“What a privilege to coach a player like that,” DeBoer, who’s with his sixth NHL organization, said recently. “He’s even better live and in-person than he is on tape … a real difference-making player. There are very few of them in the world, and he’s one.

“Unflappable guy.”

The No. 1 pick at the 2025 draft, Schaefer swept the Professional Hockey Writers Association’s 198 ballots to capture the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in May — the first unanimous winner since Teemu Selanne in 1992-93 — after putting up 59 points in 82 games.

Schaefer became the first defenceman in more than nine decades to lead all rookies (outright or tied) in goals with 23. That number, along with his point total, also set a record for 18-year-old blueliners as he became the youngest Calder recipient to date — all while averaging a team-topping 24 minutes 41 seconds.

“I have high expectations,” said Schaefer, who turned 19 on Sept. 5. “I want to be the best version of myself on and off the ice. There’s gonna be days you don’t feel like you’re at your best. There’s gonna be days where you feel like you’re awesome.”

Less than a month into the current campaign, Schaefer has shown no sign of a sophomore slump. The Hamilton product sits second on the Islanders (6-4-2) with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) along with a New York-leading 26:43 of ice time through 12 games.

The iron-lunged defender’s stamina was on display Tuesday when he became the first skater on record — real-time data was officially tracked beginning in 2009-10 — to play all five minutes of overtime in the Islanders’ 4-3 shootout victory against the Nashville Predators as part of a career-high 32:16 of action.

“As soon as he catches his breath, he goes back out,” DeBoer said with a laugh. “That’s how you deploy him. He’s that good. He’s a special, special player.” 

Schaefer, whose engaging energy has been on public display since his draft year, is also shouldering more responsibility as one of New York’s alternate captains.

“People gravitate toward him,” DeBoer said. “He’s got a great personality. He’s a great teammate. He’s got great leadership. Mature beyond his years for a young guy. He’s already got a voice in our room.”

Schaefer, who took part in an NHL-themed “The Price is Right Tonight” episode earlier this month, was honoured to have a letter stitched on his jersey.

“There’s so many leaders in this room,” he said. “I’m still learning from all of them.”

Islanders captain Bo Horvat said that while Schaefer’s play with the puck gets eyeballs, it’s the 200-foot game that pushes him over the top.

“There’s guys that have tremendous offensive ability,” said the 31-year-old centre. “(Schaefer) does it at both ends of the rink. He has the ability to be first on the forecheck and the first one to get back.”

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly got to know Schaefer over the summer following his standout freshman tour around the league.

“The way that he skates and the confidence he has with the puck, it’s extremely unique,” said the 32-year-old. “For most people, that takes a long time to build. He came in and had that right away. 

“A great personality and a great passion to play. He’s got a bright, bright future.”

OLYMPIC MISS?

DeBoer said Schaefer and his offensive flair were “really close” to making Canada’s roster in Italy.

“In our discussions right up until the last day,” he said. “And in hindsight, if we turn back the clock, (fellow puck-moving defenceman Josh) Morrissey got hurt the first game. 

“He probably could have helped us.”

CLOCKING IN

British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba’s decision to no longer move clocks back for daylight saving has added wrinkles to the NHL schedule, with the Flames being the most-impacted club.

Calgary is set to play eight games with 9 p.m. local start times, including two at home.

Provinces still taking part in daylight saving time gain an extra hour Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2026.