Could NY Islanders' rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer be on Team Canada's radar for the 2026 Olympics?

The 2026 World Junior Championship, which will be held in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, is just over two months away. Before the start of the season, questions were raised about whether the NY Islanders would allow their new star defenseman, Matthew Schaefer, to represent Canada in the tournament.

However, with Schaefer’s phenomenal start to his career, the conversation has now shifted to whether the 18-year-old could be on Hockey Canada’s radar for the Olympics.

Matthew Scahefer at the Olympics?

With NHL players returning to the competition, it would be an opportunity for the league to showcase its newest star. Still, with the depth Canada has, especially on the blue line, Schaefer’s chances are slim.

“It’s really a great story, but to get to the Olympics, I think that’s still a stretch, Jay,” Pierre LeBrun of TSN told Jay Onrait on SportsCentre. “I know you don’t really want to hear that, but I don’t think he’s on Team Canada’s radar at the moment.”

The Canadians are loaded along the blue line, including a multitude of offensive-defensemen. Hockey Canada has been reluctant to name young players to its roster, and it’s highly unlikely they will in Schaefer’s case. 

“Let’s do some history here,” LeBrun said. “It’s rare for Team Canada at this level to take a chance like that. They did name a 20-year-old Drew Doughty for the 2010 Olympics, but he was 20 and in his second NHL season.”

While we likely won’t see Schaefer lacing up the Canadians in Milan come February, the fact that there are even conversations surrounding the possibility means he’s made a significant impact on the ice.