5 highlights from NY Islanders Matthew Schaefer's Spittin' Chiclets interview

New York Islanders top pick Matthew Schaefer made his debut Spittin’ Chiclets appearance, and it wasn’t just a showcase of charisma and charm; it was a culture shock for anyone familiar with the Isles' historically tight-lipped public posture under former GM Lou Lamoriello.

Under Lamoriello’s regime, the Islanders have been one of the NHL’s most buttoned-up organizations. Personality was something you showed in the locker room and not online, not in interviews, and certainly not on Chiclets, and certainly not by a 17-year-old rookie.

And yet, there was Schaefer: chirping Biz, telling roller hockey stories, speaking candidly about his mom’s passing, and laughing like a kid who’s exactly where he belongs. It's a fun listen, and remarkable how Schaefer was in this informal setting, showing that he's not the type of first overall pick who provides canned, robotic answers in all kinds of media situations.

Here are 5 things we learned from Schaefer's interview:

Islanders fans have made a big first impression

"The fans are awesome. We had a scrimmage, we had some practices, and the fans were coming out all the time. I got to meet all of them. They’re amazing. I stepped on the ice and they were all cheering for me. I remember in the scrimmage I got hit and fell, and all the fans started booing the guy who hit me. So yeah—it’s sweet. That was my first time being on Long Island. I’ve been to New York City before, but Long Island’s sweet. I want to go golfing there. I heard all the golf courses in the Hamptons are pretty sweet."

Schaefer has been training with Mark Giordano and other NHLers

I’m working out at Byian Marshall’s in Mississauga. So you know Monahan, all those guys work out there. Mark Giordano used to work out there. He promised Marshy that he’d be the D coach for the guys. So I’m working with him all summer. It’s awesome. Everything’s there.

Obviously you’ve got all the show guys, and going up against them is key for me if I want to be playing next season. To go up against guys like that and then have Gio as a D coach—he didn’t get drafted in the OHL or NHL, so he knows what it takes. Like, all the work he had to put in to get where he was. Like you said, he won a Norris. But nothing was given to him. That’s what you need. To have a guy like that you can rely on and ask stuff—it’s amazing.