"The first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, who had his first three-point game with two goals and an assist in Sunday's comeback win over the reigning two-time Stanley Cup champion Panthers at UBS Arena, became the first Islanders rookie defenseman to be so honored. Schaefer also is the first Islanders rookie to be named the NHL's first star of the week since Mathew Barzal in 2018."
"Schaefer's 20 goals are the most ever for an 18-year-old rookie defenseman and just three short of tying Brian Leetch's NHL record for a rookie defenseman. Schaefer is the first Islanders defenseman to reach 20 goals since Hall of Famer Denis Potvin in 1985-86."
"When I hear a big crowd, that gets me super-fired up. It's so fun. I want to score every night."
Matthew Schaefer, the 2025 NHL Draft's first overall pick, was named the NHL's first star of the week after recording four goals and an assist in three games following the Olympic break. The 18-year-old defenseman became the first Islanders rookie defenseman to receive this honor and the first Islanders rookie since Mathew Barzal in 2018. Schaefer's 20 goals are the most ever for an 18-year-old rookie defenseman, just three short of Brian Leetch's NHL record. His 44 points rank second in league history for an 18-year-old rookie defenseman. He contributed to the Islanders' five-game winning streak and energized the sellout crowd at UBS Arena during Sunday's comeback victory over the Panthers.
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