Schaefer visited patients before he walked into the hospital’s atrium with the Calder Trophy to discuss his partnership with Northwell Health and being named the League’s best rookie. It capped a memorable day that started with Schaefer waking up having no idea his father and brother were in town. In fact, Matthew called his father the night before, completely unaware Todd Schaefer was staying in the same New York City hotel, along with his brother, Johnathon.
“It’s crazy to think that he was 10 floors above me, saying his FaceTime and stuff doesn’t work,” Schaefer said of his father. “He wasn’t answering me the last two days. I mean, part of me was like he doesn’t know how to work a phone, so I can see why it’s not working.
“But it was super special for them to be there today. You know, this day’s just so special because I get to experience it with all you guys, but especially all the kids here at Northwell. I love it here.”
The Islanders love having Schaefer too. He exceeded all expectations as an 18-year-old after being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Among rookies this season, he was first in time on ice per game (24:41), tied for the lead in goals (23) and was third in points (59) while playing all 82 games. Among rookie defensemen, Schaefer ranked first in each category plus power-play goals (eight), power-play points (18), overtime goals (two), game-winning goals (four) and shots on goal (222), and was second with a plus-13 rating.
But Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said the way Schaefer carries himself away from the rink makes him that much more impressive.
“Did anyone think his progression would be that quick? I’d be lying (if I said I did),” Darche said. “We knew he had all the potential. If you had told me in three years (he’d be an elite player), I would have said, ‘OK, great.’ But now he’s not surprising anyone; he’s going to get tested even more.
“But what he’s done on and off the ice has been phenomenal. I’ve been in the League long enough to know when it’s a good person, then good things happen to good people. He’s a better young man than he is a player. … Today there’s media, but he does a lot of these things without the cameras. It’s great when good people get rewarded.”
