Suffolk County – The Isles have found their guy, and Long Island is absolutely loving it. The New York Islanders earned the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and selected Matthew Schaefer out of Hamilton, Ontario.
Over the summer, The Messenger had discussed the NHL draft and the potential options available to the Islanders. It was between a hometown kid and a projected number one pick. James Hagens or Matthew Schaefer? The New York Islanders went on to select Matthew Schaefer first overall. The first Islander jersey Schaefer would ever wear had a special touch to honor his late mother, Jennifer. A breast cancer ribbon on the chest and a ‘JS’ inside the collar.
Schaefer has been described as generational so far in his NHL career. Keep in mind, it’s only been 42 games that have been filled with lots of promising aspects. The defenseman has 12 goals and 16 assists for a total of 28 points. Schaefer is also a +8, which bodes well for the rookie. The Ontario native played in the OHL for the Erie Otters, where he amassed 10 goals, 29 assists for a total of 39 points in his two seasons there.
Schaefer is paired with fellow defenseman Ryan Pulock as the Islanders’ top defensive pairing. He’s averaging 23 plus minutes a night. The defenseman has contributed six goals on the powerplay, as well as three game-winning goals and two goals in overtime. Additionally, he’s only taken 20 penalty minutes which is essentially nothing.
I, personally, am not an Islander fan. I root for the other New York team. But since my team is not doing well and their ticket prices are outrageous, I go to Islander games and spend my money on great food and a good time with no true stake in the game being played on the ice. With that being said, I’ve had a fun time watching Schaefer’s story unfold.
Being an 18-year-old from Canada, Schaefer needed a place to live that would offer guidance as he navigates his first year in the league. A longtime [recently retired] Islander and beloved ‘goon’ took him under his wing. Schaefer resides at the Martin house, home of Matt Martin, his wife Sydney, and their four children. Schaefer has fit in quite well, raiding Martin’s closet for gameday fits, hanging out with the two little girls, and even posing in the family Christmas card as an honorary Martin.
There was chatter about Schaefer potentially getting the nod for Team Canada at the Olympics, but like his father said recently in an interview, he’s only 18 and has a long career ahead of him. Having made the NHL is just one hurdle for a young kid: there’s plenty of time to talk about the Olympic team in the future.
As the number one overall pick in the NHL, the media attention is never-ending. But for Schaefer, he’s taken it in stride. The rookie is humble, happy, and loving his time in The Show and on Long Island. In interviews, he’s constantly smiling and providing quality answers that showcase his knowledge of the game.
“I love this place, I mean, I’ve said it before, and it sounds repetitive, but I really do love this place, and it feels like home as an 18-year-old coming in. From our whole team, staff, to all the fans and everyone here on Long Island. You go anywhere and everyone’s greeting you, so it feels like home. It’s easy for my dad and brother, and my mom obviously, to be happy that I am where I am because everyone makes me feel so welcome,” Schafer said in a postgame interview with Kyle Bukauskas of Sportsnet (Hockey Night in Canada).
Get to UBS arena and watch Matthew Schaefer play hockey; you won’t regret it. His story has been fun so far, can’t wait to see what’s next for the Hamilton, Ontario native.
