Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer is still just a kid from Hamilton

The rookie phenom and former first overall pick absolutely dazzled in his first year on the ice with New York Islanders.

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“Hi, I’m Matthew,” the rookie says after skating for on-ice drills at the New York Islanders’ practice facility — as if any hockey fan doesn’t know who Matthew Schaefer is.

The rookie phenom and former first overall pick absolutely dazzled in his first year on the ice, collecting every single first-place vote in the Calder Trophy race to become the unanimous winner after collecting 59 points and racking up a +13 in his inaugural NHL season.

It was a sign of things to come, earning him comparisons to Cale Makar, Olympic consideration and a place in the Islanders’ captaincy conversation. His graceful skating, power-play prowess and slick shooting made him an instant fan favourite in Long Island, and he far exceeded the already high expectations for his on-ice capabilities.

But who Schaefer is off the ice was just as integral in endearing him to fans and his teammates. The Hamilton, Ont., native found himself in the hearts of fans beyond Long Island after his showing off his poise and personality while serving as a special correspondent at the 2026 NHL Draft, his time living with former Islander Matt Martin and bonding with the Martin daughters, by spending his days at children’s camps, grief centres, cancer hospitals (he tragically lost his mother, Jennifer, to cancer in February 2024), and by the light and energy he brings everywhere he goes.

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It’s hard not to be impressed by Schaefer the player, but even harder not to be impressed by Schaefer the person, despite his insistence that he remains just a kid from the Hammer who’s living his dream of playing hockey.

He spent his summer at cottages, checking out concerts in his hometown, spending time with his family and doing things any normal teenager — yes, he’s still just a teenager — would do, getting time to be a kid again before heading into his second NHL campaign.

“Obviously, the second year is a little bit easier. Just knowing what you’re coming into, I can go back to the Martins, and I know a lot of the guys coming into it. I have my first year under my belt, so I think that’s good,” Schaefer said. “I’ve learned a lot of my first year, and I also learned a lot in the summer too, got stronger and stuff, so I can bring that into my second year. But I learned, really, I can just be myself.”

And with the NHL’s schedule expanding from 82 to 84 games, Schaefer says sticking to who he is, and to his game, is more important than ever.

“I think what’s going to help is just more time off in between games,” he said. “I think I was good at taking care of my body last year, but I think I can take another step this year, and having those two days off, using those two days to get some rest, and then just make sure my body is good for the next game. There’s obviously going to be some back-to-backs, but more days off, which is awesome.”

Schaefer’s teammates are looking forward to the energy he again will bring to the Islanders, who narrowly missed the playoffs in April.

Schaefer worked out with veteran defenceman Adam Pelech in the offseason and the latter thinks his younger counterpart will rejuvenate the team and be an integral part in their return to the post-season.

“I think we have a great group of defencemen,” said Pelech, who is also an Ontario native. “Unfortunately, we lost (Alexander) Romanov early last year, so getting him back and fully healthy will be a big boost for our group, and so will another season of Schaefer continuing to grow and get better, and returning guys like me, (Scott) Mayfield, (Ryan) Pulock, who have been here for a while. I think we have a really deep group back there.

“Schaefer was incredibly impressive last year. Everyone could tell from the first time we saw him play that he was a special talent. I think he exceeded all expectations. Not only was he great on the ice, but I think he kind of reinvigorated the group with his enthusiasm, love for the game. He’s a guy who, even at this young age, can kind of be inspiring to his teammates.”

Bo Horvat, the Islanders newly minted captain, feels that having a second Calder Trophy winner (alongside forward Mathew Barzal) to build the team around can make the Isles scary to play against, but Schaefer’s energy is what brings the team to life.

“He just brings so much energy every single day. He’s 19 years old and bouncing off the walls,” Horvat said. “Obviously, his play speaks for itself and how good he is and special a player he is. But I think he brings that added element of energy and it’s what we need with an older veteran group in the locker room, just lightening the mood.

“He’s just going to continue to keep getting better and better.”

Starting the 2026-27 season against the Toronto Maple Leafs, as close as Schaefer can get to home, is something the young blue-liner looking forward to.

“We might be getting a box or something. Just to have some friends and family will be awesome. Just to be in that atmosphere,” Schaefer said. “My dad doesn’t need to come down before that. He can just stay there and then go to the game, and then obviously he’ll make his way down to Long Island after that. But yeah, they don’t have to go very far. They can just go down the road.”

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