"For an 18-year-old playing with guys who have so much experience and see that swagger, seeing the way he moves. That's what you want from any young player. You want to see them going and have fun with their friends and have that swagger, that confidence, that trust in themselves. The X's and O's are all cool, but at the end of the day, the personality, how they skate, how they handle those rushes."
"What Schaefer is about to undertake is rare. There have only been three other blue liners taken No. 1 overall in the last 10 years. The most recent, Owen Power, appeared in just eight games during his first season with the Buffalo Sabres. But the timing is perfect for the Hamilton, Ontario native. New York has moved out of the shadow of Lou Lamoriello's regime."
Matthew Schaefer combines elite skating, high hockey IQ and maturity beyond his years. The No. 1 overall pick earned a spot on the New York Islanders opening-night roster after roster release by general manager Mathieu Darche. Head coach Patrick Roy has been galvanized by Schaefer's self-assurance and on-ice confidence, which manifests as notable swagger and trust in his abilities. Only three defensemen have been taken No. 1 overall in the last decade, and the timing aligns with the Islanders' transition from Lou Lamoriello's regime and an aging core. Schaefer will assimilate to the NHL lifestyle while carving a role in the locker room.
Read at www.amny.com
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