Matthew Schaefer

18-Year-Old DefensemanD

New York Islanders

2024 Stats

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PIM

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2025 Projections

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PP Pts

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2025 Fantasy Outlook

The Islanders traded Noah Dobson to Montreal, but on the same day, New York used the No. 1 overall pick on Schaefer, who they hope will become his replacement. The youngster is a fantastic skater who can intelligently utilize that strength to play a strong two-way game. The defenseman missed most of 2024-25 due to a combination of a broken collarbone and mononucleosis, but he impressed when healthy, recording seven goals and 22 points across 17 regular-season outings with OHL Erie. With Dobson gone, Schaefer might enter 2025-26 as part of the Islanders' top four and play regularly with the man advantage. A 40-plus point rookie campaign isn't out of the question, but there is an element of risk when it comes to counting on a teenage defenseman to jump seamlessly from the junior level to the NHL, especially after missing most of his draft year. Read Past Outlooks

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Defenseman

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Prospect

Shoots Left

Height 6'2"

DOB 9/5/2007

Born Hamilton, Canada

Drafted 1st Rd, #1 Overall in 2025

NYI

Two points Friday

DNew York Islanders

November 29, 2025

Schaefer scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flyers.

ANALYSIS
Schaefer ended his five-game point drought with an assist in a 3-1 loss to the Bruins on Wednesday. Now, he ended his six-game goal drought with a wrister at the 8:11 mark of the second period, giving him eight goals on the year. The frontrunner for the Calder Trophy, Schaefer has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) across 25 games this season while posting a solid plus-9 rating.

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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats

Ice Time

Power Play

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2025–26

23:29

3:43

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NYI

Ends point drought Wednesday

DNew York Islanders

November 27, 2025

Schaefer recorded an assist and fired seven shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Bruins.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

Youngest ever to score in overtime

DNew York Islanders

November 14, 2025

Schaefer scored the game-winning goal and added two PIM in Friday's 3-2 overtime win over the Mammoth.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

Goal, assist in overtime win

DNew York Islanders

November 13, 2025

Schaefer scored a power-play goal on four shots, dished an assist, added two hits and blocked two shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Golden Knights.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

Lights lamp twice Sunday

DNew York Islanders

November 3, 2025

Schaefer scored two goals, including one on a power play, in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

Impressive start continues

DNew York Islanders

October 30, 2025

Schaefer scored a power-play goal Thursday in a 6-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors

NYI

Won't play at World Juniors

DNew York Islanders

November 26, 2025

Schaefer will not be participating in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports Wednesday.

ANALYSIS
The news that Schaefer will not be loaned out to Canada for the World Junior Championship shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the 18-year-old blueliner has racked up seven goals and eight assists in 23 games this year, including seven power-play points. At this point, the Ontario native is too valuable to the Isles for them to risk him getting hurt during the international tournament -- not to mention the games that he would miss. Instead, Schaefer could be in the mix for a spot with Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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