Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer plans to live with Matt Martin’s family again: ‘Guess they can’t say no’

See more of our coverage in your search results.

The Martin family will be hosting Matthew Schaefer this upcoming season again whether they like it or not.

The 19-year-old NHL star made the joke on Monday during the Islanders golf outing at the Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury when a reporter asked if Matt Martin and his family wanted him back.

“I don’t know if they want me back, but I’m going back,” Schaefer said. “I mean, I kept my stuff there and then I’m like, I’m coming back. I guess they can’t say no. I think they want me out probably sooner, but you know what? I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m planting my seed here and I’m staying here.’”

It’s doubtful that the Martin family really wants Schaefer out sooner than later, considering how big a part of their family he has become.

Martin, who played 16 seasons in the NHL, including 14 with the Islanders before becoming an executive with the organization, welcomed the teenager into his home last season, and Schaefer quickly created a bond with the family.

In particular, he has taken on a big brother role to the family’s two daughters, Winnie and Alice. Martin’s wife, Sydney, has shared a number of adorable moments involving Schaefer and the Martin kids on social media.

Earlier this month, Sydney posted on Instagram a photo of Schaefer celebrating his 19th birthday with the family.

Martin praised how Schaefer carries himself on SiriusXM last month and said that the now second-year star would be staying with him and his family again this upcoming NHL season.

“From the moment he kind of stepped in our house and met our family, before it was ever decided he was going to live with us, you just feel the type of kid he is, the type of energy he has,” Martin said in the August interview. “Kind of gravitated towards our kids and our kids gravitated towards him. It’s a really special thing for my kids.”

Schaefer is coming into this season looking to build off a monumental rookie campaign that saw him win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

He recorded 23 goals and 59 points while appearing in all 82 games during the 2025-26 season.