"The rookie is currently fifth among Canadian blue liners in points (23) and third in goals (9). While Cale Makar will of course lead the Canadian blue line, quarterbacking the top power play unit, there's no reason Schaefer can't QB the second unit, even if he's dressed as the seventh defenseman. Schaefer is tied for most power play points among Canadian defensemen (with Makar) with 10, and leads all NHL defensemen in PP goals with five."
"Schaefer is looking more likely to play in the Olympics "I've been in hockey my whole life, I don't know if I've ever seen an 18-year-old come up and have the impact he has," Ken Morrow, the Islanders Director of Pro Scouting, said yesterday. "I don't want to put any more pressure on him. I don't know if he feels a whole lot of pressure. He's a special young man.""
"Different media outlets across North America have been doing their best to predict these Olympic rosters, and now, just about all of them have Schaefer as part of Team Canada. Canada will likely take eight defensemen to Milan, and right now, it's hard to find eight Canadian defensemen who are better than Schaefer. The rookie is currently fifth among Canadian blue liners in points (23) and third in goals (9)."
Matthew Schaefer, 18, has risen quickly in his first 33 professional games, becoming integral to the New York Islanders' turnaround into Eastern Conference contenders. He ranks fifth among Canadian defensemen in points (23) and third in goals (9) and has matched Cale Makar for most power play points among Canadian blue liners with 10. Schaefer leads all NHL defensemen with five power play goals, achieved despite a power play unit that ranks 25th. Media projections increasingly include him on Team Canada for the Milan Olympics. Rosters are due New Year's Eve, with seven games left to solidify his case.
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