The dynamic of Islanders rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer living with longtime Islander fourth-liner Matt Martin, his wife Sydney Esiason Martin and their four young children has provided a fun footnote in an exciting season.
That includes Schaefer’s relationship with Boomer Esiason, a die-hard Rangers fan as well as Sydney’s father. Schaefer, who scored a goal in the Islanders’ 2-1 win over the Rangers at the Garden on Thursday night, called into WFAN’s “Boomer & Gio” morning show on Friday to talk about the win.
Gregg Giannotti, Esiason’s co-host, asked Schaefer about dealing with Boomer – whom Giannotti called a “hemorrhoid” – while living with the Martins.
“It’s definitely a love-hate relationship with me and Boomer,” said Schaefer, whose Islanders completed a 4-0 season sweep of the Rangers with Thursday’s win. “We battle a little bit. He doesn’t come around much because I think he’s a little scared of the Islanders over here, so I think he stays in the [studio] a little bit more to do what I call a podcast. But then he corrected me and said it’s a lot bigger than that.
“I’m still 18, and I’m still learning. But no, it’s been awesome. Obviously, his daughter and Marty and the kids have done an amazing job of welcoming into the home, and it’s fun to be a part of a family and have younger siblings to be a part of.”
Boomer responded with a friendly chirp of his own.
“The amazing thing is not many guys go from the ice against the Rangers in Madison Square Garden, then go home and watch Bluey [the children’s animated TV show], that’s for sure,” Boomer said. “And ride around on a scooter around the island in the kitchen, that’s another thing I’ve seen. I’ve also seen you dress up in a blow-up Santa Claus outfit.
“I mean, you just made yourself totally at home.”
Schaefer said that Sydney still packs his clothes for road trips, and sometimes he will come back from a game with his bed already made.
Schaefer scored his 14th goal Thursday, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Bobby Orr for the second most in NHL history by an 18-year-old defenseman. He trails Hall of Famer Phil Housley, who had 17 for the Sabres in 1982-83.
Boomer joked that Schaefer already has more goals than Martin had in his entire 16-year career (Martin had 81 career goals, but never more than 10 in a season).
They also talked about Schaefer doing an in-studio appearance during the Olympic break, assuming he does not replace anyone on Canada’s roster.
Schaefer was ready for the Islanders-Rangers rivalry shortly after he was selected No. 1 overall, saying last June that “we’re going to beat the Rangers every time we play them.”
That will remain true until at least next season.
“You’re going to be a hemorrhoid to me for the next 10 years, 20 years maybe even, who knows?” Boomer said to Schaefer. “You’re a great kid. You get it. There’s no question about it, Matthew. And when I watch you, honestly – on the ice is one thing, it’s great.
“But you off the ice, especially with those girls, that brings, I mean, that just really makes me feel like I want to root for you, especially when we get you in a trade or free agency in a couple years.”
Schaefer certainly is not changing his tune about the Rangers any time soon.
He responded: “No, I don’t think so.”
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports’ general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins’ teams.