Brayden Schenn had seen the highlights.
The veteran centre knew all a few peach-fuzzed New York Islanders defenceman making waves in a jaw-dropping rookie season — from afar.
Acquired by the membership forward of the NHL commerce deadline, Schenn now will get a front-row seat.
Matthew Schaefer, a happy-go-lucky teenager with a large smile and fascinating persona, has burst on the scene with a simple skating stride, bullet shot and elite really feel for the sport.
“Comes as marketed,” Schenn, added from the St. Louis Blues on March 6, stated of the 18-year-old phenom. “Very expert, very motivated to be the very best he could be. He’s a particular particular person. He actually cares concerning the folks on this locker room.”
And the group counts itself lucky to have him.
“Don’t wish to take into consideration that,” Islanders head coach Patrick Roy replied when requested if he’s contemplated life with out Schaefer. “He has helped our group tremendously … numerous instances we are saying, ‘Oh, defencemen take a bit of extra time to develop.’ He’s been dealing with these conditions very well.”
The runaway Calder Trophy favorite as rookie of the 12 months, Schaefer may even seemingly get Norris Trophy (prime blueliner) and Hart Trophy (MVP) votes for a marketing campaign that has seen the No. 1 choose on the 2025 draft register 49 factors (20 objectives, 29 assists) throughout 68 video games whereas main New York with a median of greater than 24 minutes per contest.
“Give attention to what we’ve obtained going on this room,” he stated of his method. “It’s not nearly me, it’s about we. We have now an incredible group. These guys have helped me a lot.
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“I’m a perfectionist and I wish to be good. However nobody’s ever good.”
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Schaefer, who misplaced his mom, Jennifer, to most cancers in 2024 and broke down in tears on an emotional draft night time, has been fairly near good as a freshman. The Islanders additionally didn’t know what they’d, at the very least for this season, when coaching camp opened.
On tempo to shatter the franchise report for factors (56) by a rookie defenceman, the Hamilton product performed simply 17 video games in 2024-25 with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters and suited up two extra instances on the world junior hockey championship earlier than breaking his collarbone.
“We knew the expertise he has and the kind of particular person,” stated Roy, whose group sat third within the Metropolitan Division with a 39-24-5 report getting into Wednesday’s motion. “Ceiling was fairly excessive.”
Together with excellent puck play, Schaefer has rapidly realized the defensive aspect on the sport’s prime degree alongside blue-line accomplice Ryan Pulock, who’s virtually 13 years his senior.
“He’s gapping so effectively, he’s obtained an incredible stick,” Roy stated. “We knew he had the offensive expertise, however the best way he’s been defending, it’s fairly spectacular.”
There was an analogous feeling down the corridor at Scotiabank Area this week.
“Doing issues solely a handful of gamers have executed,” stated Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares, who debuted within the league as a teen after being chosen first general by New York in 2009. “He’s not only a franchise participant … he’s definitely put himself within the dialog as a generational-type of expertise.
“It’s been outstanding.”
The identical goes for off the ice.
“Not faux in any respect,” Schenn stated of Schaefer’s manner and therapy of others. “Honest with how he handles himself. You possibly can actually inform why his teammates love him.”
Schaefer stated together with dealing with arduous journey and studying about preparation, one other huge adjustment has been tweaking his method towards greater, stronger, sooner opponents.
“You’ve obtained to know who’s on the ice,” he stated. “And undoubtedly have your head up, as a result of guys are coming for you on a regular basis.”
Schaefer, in the meantime, is just getting his engine began.
“His development, his timeline,” Schenn stated. “The Islanders group and fan base have each proper to be excited.”
RUSSIAN CHATTER
With the NHL and NHL Gamers’ Affiliation asserting Calgary, Edmonton and Prague as hosts for the 2028 World Cup, speak of Russia’s inclusion as soon as once more got here to the forefront.
That nation’s conflict in Ukraine has meant a ban from all Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation occasions, together with final month’s Milan Cortina Olympics.
Chatting with reporters this week on the normal managers conferences in Manalapan, Fla., commissioner Gary Bettman left the door open for Russia to be a part of the occasion in two years.
“We’re going to see how issues develop,” he stated Monday in reference to world politics. “Time will inform.”
Bettman addressed media gathered in Florida once more Wednesday alongside deputy commissioner Invoice Daly, and denied a report that Sweden, Finland and Czechia had formally notified the league of a boycott ought to Russia be included.
“(These nations) have sturdy emotions,” Daly stated. “The identical sturdy emotions we’ve expressed and the worldwide hockey group has expressed.”
Vancouver Canucks ahead Teddy Blueger, who suited up for Latvia in Milan, wish to see Russia again.
“Different nations are concerned in wars,” he stated Tuesday. “Who’s to determine which one’s justified and which one’s not, and who will get to disqualify who? I feel punishing the gamers for stuff like that … it’s politics.”
Maple Leafs winger William Nylander, in the meantime, ducked a query on the response in Sweden if Russia was given the inexperienced gentle.
“I’m not, like, studying something,” he additionally stated Tuesday. “I don’t have (a) clue. Ask someone else about that.”
-With recordsdata from Gemma Karstens-Smith in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed March 18, 2026.
