Schaefer Debuts with a Goal in the NHL, But Isles Fall to Capitals

Matthew Schaefer: A Dream Debut in the NHL

Young defenseman Matthew Schaefer will not easily forget his first goal in the NHL. The 18-year-old player, selected as the first overall pick in this year’s draft, completely surrendered to the moment. Schaefer took advantage of a loose puck after a play in front of the net and dove to push it in, beating Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson at 4:28 of the third period in the Islanders’ 4-2 loss on Saturday night.

It’s incredible, 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 be there every night for them. They come out every night for us.

Matthew Schaefer

Although the goal reduced Washington’s lead, the Islanders failed to come back and suffered their second loss of the season. However, it was a significant moment for the rookie, who joined the team after training camp, a few months after being the first pick in the draft.

Islanders forward Bo Horvat highlighted Schaefer’s performance:

Honestly, he dominated the game. He was our best player tonight. He was moving, obviously contributing. He’s very effective on the court. He feels more and more comfortable in each game. He’s a special player, we’re lucky to have him.

Bo Horvat

Schaefer’s performance has already gained the full confidence of the coaching staff. After earning an assist for his first point in the NHL and recording 17:15 minutes of ice time in the Islanders’ 4-3 opening loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday, he had a team-high 26:04 minutes of ice time in this game. Islanders coach Patrick Roy commented on Schaefer’s workload:

I’m not balancing anything right now with the way he’s playing. He forced me to play him, he forced us to play him, so we’ll give him more.

Patrick Roy

Schaefer, with little recent experience in games, played only 17 games for the Erie of the Ontario Hockey League in 2024-25, missing time due to mononucleosis and subsequently a broken collarbone while representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Even so, he managed 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and a +21 rating. The Ontario native also captained Canada to gold medals at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Now, at just 18 years old and already on the NHL ice, his first goal offered a glimpse of why the Islanders expect great things from the youngster in the coming years.