Matthew Schaefer
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:35:06 PM Wikipedia source
Matthew Schaefer (born September 5, 2007) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie in 2025–26.
Infobox
Born
(2007-09-05) September 5, 2007 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Height
6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight
186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Position
Defence
Shoots
Left
NHL team
New York Islanders
NHL draft
1st overall, 2025 New York Islanders
Playing career
2025–present
Tables
· Awards and honours
CHL
CHL
Award
CHL
CHL Top Draft Prospect Award
CHL Top Draft Prospect Award
Award
CHL Top Draft Prospect Award
Year
2025
OHL
OHL
Award
OHL
First All-Rookie Team
First All-Rookie Team
Award
First All-Rookie Team
Year
2024
NHL
NHL
Award
NHL
Rookie of the Month
Rookie of the Month
Award
Rookie of the Month
Year
October 2025
Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
Award
Calder Memorial Trophy
Year
2026
| Award | Year | Ref |
| CHL | ||
| CHL Top Draft Prospect Award | 2025 | |
| OHL | ||
| First All-Rookie Team | 2024 | |
| NHL | ||
| Rookie of the Month | October 2025 | |
| Calder Memorial Trophy | 2026 | |
· External links
Preceded byMacklin Celebrini
Preceded byMacklin Celebrini
Awards and achievements
Preceded byMacklin Celebrini
Awards and achievements
NHL first overall draft pick
2025
Awards and achievements
Succeeded byIncumbent
Preceded byCole Eiserman
Preceded byCole Eiserman
Awards and achievements
Preceded byCole Eiserman
Awards and achievements
New York Islanders first round pick
2025
Awards and achievements
Succeeded byVictor Eklund
Preceded byLane Hutson
Preceded byLane Hutson
Awards and achievements
Preceded byLane Hutson
Awards and achievements
Calder Memorial Trophy
2026
Awards and achievements
Succeeded byIncumbent
| Awards and achievements | ||
| Preceded byMacklin Celebrini | NHL first overall draft pick 2025 | Succeeded byIncumbent |
| Preceded byCole Eiserman | New York Islanders first round pick 2025 | Succeeded byVictor Eklund |
| Preceded byLane Hutson | Calder Memorial Trophy 2026 | Succeeded byIncumbent |
References
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/news/matthew-schaefer-wins-calder-trophy-for-2025-26-season
- "2023 U16 AAA Player of the Year Awards"https://chl.ca/ohlcup/2023-u16-aaa-player-of-the-year-awards/
- Toronto Starhttps://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/light-feet-heavy-heart-the-tragic-story-of-a-rising-hockey-star-and-two-unfathomable/article_fdb7a16e-07c9-11ef-9316-df7d141e4347.html
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/nhl/otters/2023/04/20/erie-otters-to-pick-matthew-schaefer-no-1-overall-in-ohl-draft/70136625007/
- The Hockey Writershttps://thehockeywriters.com/erie-otters-get-to-know-matthew-schaefer-wesley-royston/
- The Hockey Newshttps://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/a-look-back-at-the-top-3-from-the-2023-ohl-priority-selection
- The Hockey Newshttps://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/an-updated-look-at-the-2023-ohl-draft-class-the-2007-age-group-picks-1-5
- "Schaefer ready to 'put the work boots on' ahead of 2025 NHL Draft"https://www.nhl.com/news/matthew-schaefer-ready-to-work-ahead-of-2025-nhl-draft
- The Hockey Newshttps://thehockeynews.com/news/matthew-schaefer-to-begin-his-quest-for-no-1-overall-in-the-2025-nhl-draft
- The Hockey Newshttps://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/matthew-schaefer-named-top-north-american-prospect-in-nhl-central-scouting-mid-term-rankings
- Canadian Hockey Leaguehttps://chl.ca/article/gavin-mckenna-becomes-the-third-youngest-to-earn-chl-player-of-the-year-honours-as-the-leagues-top-talent-is-celebrated-at-the-2025-chl-awards/
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-sign-schaefer
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/news/matthew-schaefer-makes-family-proud-in-nhl-debut-with-new-york-islanders
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/news/washington-capitals-new-york-islanders-game-recap-october-11-2025
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/takeaways-islanders-defeat-sharks-4-3-for-third-straight-win
- "Schaefer named NHL Rookie of the Month for October"https://www.nhl.com/news/matthew-schaefer-named-nhl-rookie-of-the-month-for-october-2025
- "Schaefer 'has changed our team,' Islanders GM says on 'NHL @TheRink' podcast"https://www.nhl.com/news/matthew-schaefer-has-changed-our-team-mathieu-darche-says-on-nhl-at-the-rink-podcast
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/takeaways-schaefer-s-ot-winner-lifts-islanders-to-3-2-win-over-utah
- National Hockey Leaguehttps://www.nhl.com/news/trophy-tracker-islanders-matthew-schaefer-top-choice-for-calder-trophy
- Yahoo Sportshttps://sports.yahoo.com/articles/islanders-matthew-schaefer-breaks-nhl-020432147.html