As if we needed more proof that Matthew Schaefer is well on his way to becoming a generational talent, he just etched his name in the NHL history books.
With his game-opening goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, the New York Islanders blue-liner became the youngest defenceman in NHL history to record 50 points at 18 years, 195 days.
He joined former Buffalo Sabres D-man Phil Housley as the only 18-year-old defencemen to hit that milestone.
Selected first-overall by the Islanders at the 2025 NHL Draft, Schaefer has immediately made an impact, helping New York push for a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2024.
The Hamilton, Ont., native is third in rookie scoring — behind only Ivan Demidov and Beckett Sennecke — with 21 goals and 29 assists, but leads the first-year class in time on ice, sitting at 24:20 per game.
Unfortunately, his efforts were futile as a late game-winner from Brady Tkachuk secured the game in regulation for the Senators and dropped the Islanders out of a playoff position. They now sit one point out of a wild-card berth..
