New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was unanimously voted the winner of the National Hockey League\u2019s 2025-26 Calder Memorial Trophy.<\/p>\n
That undisputed outcome, though, wasn\u2019t why the former Erie Otter became a historic recipient of its rookie of the year award.<\/p>\n
Schaefer also became the youngest honoree of a trophy first presented in 1937. The Hamilton, Ontario, native, was 18 years and 223 days old for the final day of the Islanders\u2019 regular season.<\/p>\n
Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon was one day older as the Calder Trophy\u2019s 2013-14 recipient.<\/p>\n
Schaefer\u2019s father and brother were among those surprised him with the news during his May 13 interview on ABC\u2019s \u201cGood Morning America.\u201d \u00a0Missing was Jennfier Schaefer, who died from breast cancer in 2024.<\/p>\n
Matthew Schaefer dedicated the award to his mother.<\/p>\n
“We’ve done a lot as a family,\u201d Schaefer said in comments republished in an espn.com article. \u201cMy mom helped me and my family so much with everything. We’ve had some tough losses, but it hasn’t stopped us as a family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis (award) definitely means a lot. This year was super important to me.”<\/p>\n
More: NHL draft lottery results: Toronto Maple Leafs will pick No. 1 overall<\/a><\/p>\n Worth the pick<\/p>\n The Calder award wasn\u2019t a shocker given Schaefer\u2019s hockey resume.<\/p>\n Erie selected Schaefer with the No. 1 overall pick for the Ontario Hockey League\u2019s 2023 priority selection draft. He recorded 10 goals and 29 assists over 73 regular seasons for games for the Otters, plus three assists during the 2024 Robertson Cup playoffs.<\/p>\n That was the franchise\u2019s first postseason appearance since 2017.<\/p>\n Schaefer\u2019s two-season tenure with Erie was curtailed by a broken collarbone he suffered while playing for Team Canada during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship tournament. However, the injury wasn\u2019t enough to deter the Islanders from choosing him with the No. 1 overall pick for the NHL\u2019s 2025 draft.<\/p>\n Schaefer made good on their faith with 23 goals and 36 assists over their full 82-game regular season. His goal total was the most by an 18-year old defenseman.<\/p>\n Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com<\/a>. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.<\/p>\n