MATTHEW SCHAEFER WINS 2026 CALDER TROPHY May 13, 2026 - NHL.com

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has been named the 2025-26 Calder Trophy winner, awarded annually to the NHL's top rookie. Schaefer received first-place votes on all 198 ballots cast, making him the first unanimous Calder Trophy recipient since Teemu Selanne in 1992-93.

At 18 years old, Schaefer is the youngest Calder Trophy winner in NHL history, capping a record-breaking season in which he posted 23 goals and 59 points in 82 games while leading all NHL rookies in ice time. He is the sixth player in Islanders history to win the award and the first since Mathew Barzal in 2017-18.

MATTHEW SCHAEFER NAMED CALDER TROPHY FINALIST May 05, 2026 - NHL.com

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has been named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top rookie. Schaefer joins Ivan Demidov and Beckett Sennecke as finalists after a historic debut season — leading all rookies in ice time per game (24:41), tying for the rookie lead in goals (23), and finishing third in points (59) across all 82 games.

The 18-year-old set the NHL record for points by an 18-year-old defenseman and tied the single-season record for most goals by a rookie defenseman, cementing himself as one of the most impactful first-year blueliners in league history. A Schaefer win would make him the first Islanders player to claim the award since Mathew Barzal in 2017-18.

MATTHEW SCHAEFER NAMED NHL FIRST STAR OF THE WEEK March 02, 2026 - NHL.com

Matthew Schaefer was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week after recording five points (four goals, one assist) in three games. The New York Islanders defenseman led all players in goals during the stretch.

MATTHEW SCHAEFER SETS ISLANDERS AND NHL ROOKIE DEFENSEMAN RECORDS February 26, 2026 - NHL.com

Matthew Schaefer delivered a historic performance in a 4-3 overtime win over Montreal, setting the New York Islanders franchise record for most goals by a rookie defenseman with 18 and the NHL record for goals by an 18-year-old defenseman. The record-breaking tally tied the game and capped a two-goal night, and he was awarded the team’s Iron Man Mask for the third time this season following his milestone outing.

MATTHEW SCHAEFER BECOMES SECOND-HIGHEST SCORING 18-YEAR-OLD DEFENSEMAN IN NHL HISTORY January 29, 2026 - NHL.com

Matthew Schaefer continued his historic rookie season on January 29 by scoring his 14th goal of the year in the New York Islanders’ win over the New York Rangers.

With the goal, Schaefer moved into sole possession of second place for the most goals ever scored by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history. He surpassed Bobby Orr, who set his mark during the 1966-67 season.

Only Phil Housley, who scored 17 goals as an 18-year-old in 1982-83, remains ahead of Schaefer on the all-time list.

MATTHEW SCHAEFER NAMED NHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH November 01, 2025 - NHL.com

New York Islanders rookie defenceman Matthew Schaefer has been named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for October after recording eight points (three goals, five assists) in 11 games. He led all rookies in average time on ice and shots on goal, and was tied for first among rookies in power-play goals. Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, continues to make an early impact in his debut season.