Get ready to witness NHL history in the making! Matthew Schaefer, the New York Islanders' rookie defenseman, is about to embark on one of the most extraordinary starts to an NHL career—ever. But here's where it gets even more fascinating: Schaefer is set to face not just one, but two hockey legends back-to-back in his first games. After going head-to-head with Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby in his debut, he’s now poised to take on Alex Ovechkin when the Islanders face the Washington Capitals. This rare feat will make Schaefer just the eighth player in NHL history to face the league’s active points leader (Crosby) and all-time goals leader (Ovechkin) in consecutive games to start a career. And this is the part most people miss: it’s only the fourth time this has happened since 1930, and the first since 1960! Is this the start of a new era in hockey, or just a remarkable coincidence?
Schaefer, the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is already breaking records. At 18 years and 34 days old, he became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a point in his debut, assisting on a Jonathan Drouin goal. This achievement dethroned Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer, who held the record at 18 years and 46 days. But here’s the kicker: only four other skaters in NHL history were younger than Schaefer when they scored a point in their first game. Does this signal a shift toward younger players dominating the league earlier?
The emotional weight of Schaefer’s journey isn’t lost on his family. His father, Todd, couldn’t hold back tears during his son’s debut, telling NHL.com, ‘I’ve been emotional for weeks now. I know how much he wants this, and I’m just so thrilled that he’s playing with confidence.’ Schaefer’s brother, Johnny, and 25 other friends and family were there to witness the historic moment, with Johnny marveling, ‘I can’t even imagine the nerves for an 18-year-old kid… I’m just so happy for him.’
As Schaefer prepares to chase his first NHL goal against the Capitals, Washington head coach Spencer Carbery isn’t underestimating the rookie. ‘Elite, elite, elite skater is what jumps off the page,’ Carbery noted. ‘His agility, quickness, and lateral mobility were on full display against Pittsburgh. His strength and size will come with time, but he’s already an elite skater.’ But here’s the controversial question: Can Schaefer sustain this momentum, or will the pressure of facing hockey’s greatest players early in his career become too much?
Originally from Stoney Creek, Ontario, Schaefer tallied an impressive 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in just 17 games for the OHL’s Erie Otters last season. Now, as he steps onto the NHL stage, the hockey world is watching to see if this young defenseman can live up to the hype. What do you think? Is Matthew Schaefer the next big thing in hockey, or is it too early to tell? Let us know in the comments!
