(AP)
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year, becoming the first unanimous winner of the award in 33 years.
Schaefer, 18, received every first-place vote from the Professional Hockey Writers Association, marking the first unanimous Calder selection since Teemu Selanne accomplished the feat with the Winnipeg Jets during the 1992-93 season.
The New York Islanders surprised Matthew Schaefer with the trophy during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” where his father Todd, brother Johnny and former Islanders forward Matt Martin attended alongside him with Martin’s daughters. Schaefer lived with the Martin family during the season.
Schaefer Sets Rookie Records
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft delivered a historic debut campaign for the Islanders, finishing with 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points in 82 games.
His 59 points broke Phil Housley’s NHL record for points by an 18-year-old defenseman, while his 23 goals tied Brian Leetch for the most goals by a rookie defenseman.
Schaefer also became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a point in his league debut and the youngest player ever to score an overtime goal.
The rookie led all NHL first-year players with more than 2,023 minutes of ice time and finished fifth among rookies with a plus-13 rating.
Emotional Season for Schaefer
Schaefer dedicated the award to his late mother Jennifer, who died from breast cancer in 2024.
“We’ve done a lot as a family,” an emotional Schaefer said during the presentation. “We have had some tough losses, but it hasn’t stopped us as a family. We’ve gotten a lot closer.”
Off the ice, Schaefer partnered with the Islanders Children’s Foundation and Northwell Health to help create a support center for children with cancer and their families.
Demidov, Sennecke Finish Behind Schaefer
Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov finished second in Calder voting, while Anaheim Ducks winger Beckett Sennecke placed third.
Schaefer became the sixth player in Islanders history to win the Calder Trophy and the franchise’s first recipient since Mathew Barzal earned the honor in the 2017-18 season.
