Schaefer, #1 Draft Pick, scores his 1st NHL goal, but Isles lose

In a night to remember forever, young defenseman Matthew Schaefer scored his first goal in the NHL, marking a milestone in his promising career. The 18-year-old player, selected as the first overall pick in this year’s NHL draft, charged with determination towards a loose puck in front of the net, managing to send it to the back of the net before the eyes of Washington Capitals goalie, Logan Thompson. The goal came in the third period of the game, although the Islanders ended up losing 4-2.

It’s crazy, I love these fans. Hearing your name chanted there is amazing, it feels like home for sure… We want to win for the fans and we want to be there every night for them. They come every night for us.

Matthew Schaefer

Despite the defeat, Schaefer’s goal marked a special moment for the rookie, who joined the team after a standout training camp, a few months after being selected in the draft in Los Angeles. Schaefer’s performance has been so impressive that he has already earned the trust of the coaching staff. In the previous match, he had already recorded an assist and accumulated 17:15 minutes of playing time. In this match, his playing time increased to 26:04 minutes, surpassing other key players on the team.

He really took control of the game, to be honest. He was our best player tonight. He was moving, obviously contributing. He’s very effective out there. He feels more and more comfortable in each game. He’s a special player, we’re lucky to have him.

Bo Horvat

Islanders coach Patrick Roy highlighted Schaefer’s importance to the team, stating that his performance has forced him to give him more playing time. Schaefer’s trajectory is notable, considering he only played 17 games for the Erie of the Ontario Hockey League in the 2024-25 season, due to health problems and a broken collarbone. Despite this, he managed to accumulate 22 points. In addition, the young player led Canada to the gold medal at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. With only 18 years old and already making his mark in the NHL, his first goal is a sample of what the Islanders expect from him in the coming years.