Matthew Schaefer’s impressive rookie campaign has continued.

In a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Schaefer opened the scoring with his 21st goal of the season. It also gave him his 50th point of the season, making him the youngest defenceman in National Hockey League history to reach the half-a-century mark. He did it in just 18 years and 195 days, beating Phil Housley’s record of 18 days and 354 days.

Schaefer was drafted first overall in the 2025 draft after missing most of his final junior season due to an injury sustained at the World Juniors. It’s a pick that has turned out well for the Islanders, as they sit a point outside a playoff spot, both for third in the Metropolitan Division and a wild card spot.

With 21 goals and 50 points, Schaefer is currently 12th in defenceman scoring points, but has scored the second-most goals, just two behind Jakob Chychrun. Not only will he win the Calder Trophy, but there’s a legitimate possibility he’ll finish as a nominee for the Norris Trophy as well.

Islanders’ American Hockey League team moving to Hamilton

The Islanders’ AHL team has been in Bridgeport since the 2001-02 season, which happens to be their best year in the AHL. That season, they finished with a league-best 98 points, going all the way to the Calder Cup Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Wolves in five games. That was a far cry from their 2024-25 season, as they finished with a 15-50-7 record, winning just four of their 36 games at home.

This won’t be Hamilton’s first AHL team, as they hosted the Hamilton Canucks from 1992-93 until 1993-94. Moreover, the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) resided in the city from the 1996-97 season until the 2014-15 season. Their most recent notable team was the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL), which lasted from the 2015-16 season until 2022-23, until a temporary relocation to Brantford turned into a full-time relocation.

Ryan Johansen announces retirement

Always a @PredsNHL 💛

Ryan Johansen has announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the League.

Drafted fourth overall in the 2010 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Vancouver, British Columbia product scored nine goals and 21 points in his rookie campaign in 2011-12. He broke out during the 2013-14 season, scoring 33 goals and 63 points in 82 games, followed by 26 goals and 71 points in 82 games in 2014-15, a career-best year in the point department.

During the 2015-16 season, Johansen was traded to the Nashville Predators for Seth Jones, finishing the season scoring eight goals and 34 points in 42 games. Over 14 playoff games, Jones scored four goals and eight points in 14 games.

Johansen only reached the 20+ goal mark one more time after his Blue Jacket days, in 2021-22, but his career highlight has to be the 2016-17 season. In the regular season, he scored 14 goals and 61 points in 82 games. 

In the post-season, he scored three goals and 13 points, as the Predators went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately, Johansen suffered a fluke injury to his left thigh, ending his post-season early. Had he been healthy, the Predators would’ve had a better chance of winning the Cup.

Johansen’s tenure as Predators came to an end following the 2022-23 season, as he signed with the Colorado Avalanche. Over 63 games for them, he scored 13 goals and 23 points, but was traded ahead of the 2024 trade deadline to clear cap space, having never played another game.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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