Matthew Schaefer, Islanders reflect on rookie’s ‘Amazing’ first season

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Schaefer rightly pointed out that he started his year not knowing if he’d be with the Islanders or back in junior with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. He was considered for Canada at the Milan/Cortina Olympics, but was ultimately passed over. He endured a coaching change, from Patrick Roy to Peter DeBoer, who took over with just four games left in the regular season.

Through it all, Schaefer was spectacular on the ice; he was unquestionably the Islanders’ best skater all season. At 18 years and 36 days, he became the fourth-youngest player since 2000 to score his first NHL goal, then tied Leetch’s record — set in 1988-89, nearly 20 years before Schaefer was born — in the Islanders’ final win of the season on April 9.

Even after all that, he is still mentally and physically capable of playing, even now.

“Obviously, there’s gonna be bumps and bruises,” Schaefer said, “but I still feel like I can play another 82 [games].”

GM says Islanders ‘lucky to have’ Matthew Schaefer

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Islanders general manger Mathieu Darche confirmed Schaefer was ineligible to join Bridgeport of the AHL due to age restrictions. Schaefer called playing at the IIHF World Championship in Zurich and Froiburg, Switzerland, “a possibility,” and Darche indicated it’ll be his choice whether to represent his home country later this month in Europe.

Still, Schaefer is excited to have a little bit of downtime after a whirlwind year while focusing on getting stronger.

“I don’t think this summer will be as busy as last summer,” Schaefer said. “I was all over the place last summer; I couldn’t stay home for a week last summer. It’ll be a good summer.”

Darche himself hoped Schaefer could live the life of a normal teenager this offseason in Ontario.

“It’s almost like he’s going to ride his bike with his buddies and go buy gum at the convenience store,” Darche said.

But his teammates can’t wait to see Schaefer back on the ice after his breakout rookie season. The Islanders’ veteran-laden roster — they had the seventh-oldest team in the NHL, even with the fresh-faced Schaefer playing every game — got a jolt of youth this season.

“He’s an unbelievable kid,” said center Casey Cizikas, who at 35 years and 978 games is the longest-tenured Islander. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and what he did this year was unbelievable. It was a lot of fun to watch.

“It was a lot of fun to be a part of, and to see the confidence that he has in himself and in his game was remarkable, and the person he is off the ice, there’s no one better. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face, and he’s a lot of fun to be around. I’m glad that he’s here.”

Cizikas isn’t the only one who appreciates what the Isles have in Schaefer.

“Honestly, it’s pretty rare to see a young guy be pretty much like this the whole year,” Darche said. “He’s been great. We’re lucky to have him.”

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