Matthew Schaefer does not spend time thinking about the Calder Trophy. The New York Islanders‘ young phenom said he plays for his team and blocks out the buzz surrounding individuals awards.
Schaefer has been having a breakout rookie season with the Islanders. He was selected 1st overall in the 2025 NHL Draft and has certainly lived up to the hype. The Canadian defenseman had not looked out of place despite being 18-years-old and has continued to thrive.
Based on his progression, Schaefer seems like a lock for the Calder Trophy, which is awarded to the best rookie. So far, the Islanders rookie has scored 20 goals and added 28 assists for a total of 48 points in 67 games.
Schaefer’s strong performances and progression has gained attention around the league, particularly from Wayne Gretzky. The Hall of Famer-turned-analyst raved about the Islanders rookie. He even considered him a candidate for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s most valuable player.
Matthew Schaefer Ignoring Calder Trophy Buzz
While Matthew Schaefer is receiving plenty of high praise from teammates and past greats, he remains focused on the Islanders. He wants to contribute to his team’s success both in the regular season and the playoffs.
Schaefer acknowledged the buzz surrounding his chances of winning the Calder Trophy. However, the Islanders rookie revealed that he does not allow it to distract him.
“You gotta keep the work and the effort. There’s no bull when you’re at this level and doing this stuff. It’s awesome. There’s a lot of talk with Rookie of the Year and stuff like that. But honestly, I zone it out,” Schaefer told RG. “I play the game because I love it. It brings peace to me. I enjoy it, I’m happy.”
He added:
“Honestly, if it’s meant to be [that I win the Calder Trophy], it’s meant to be. You just gotta keep playing your game, keep playing the way you play and just zone all that stuff out,” Schaefer said. “When I’m in the rink, the hockey boards go up to the roof, and I just focus on the game. What can I do to help my team win and go as far as we can?”
Schafer Expresses Gratitude Toward Islanders Veterans
Schaefer also expressed gratitude toward his veteran teammates on the Islanders. While having a young star like Schaefer is important, surrounding him with strong veteran players and mentors is just as important.
The Islanders not only have a strong veteran presence, but their head coach, Patrick Roy, is also a Hall of Famer. Schaefer appreciates the veteran support he has received and said they have helped him both on and off the ice.
“They’ve always had my back through,” Schaefer told RG. “Whether we talk about life or anything, they will always have my back through it all. It’s awesome to have guys like that.”
He added:
“[Roy is] so competitive and he cares for us. He will always go to bat for us no matter what, and always have our backs. But I love how competitive he is and how much he cares to help us be better.”
Islanders Phenom Matthew Schaefer Reveals Why He’s Ignoring Calder Trophy Buzz