Matthew Schaefer ranked among Top 10 New York sports athletes by radio host

Matthew Schaefer’s rise has gone well beyond Long Island.

Radio host John Jastremski released his list of the Top 15 New York sports athletes right now, and the Islanders defenseman checked in at No. 9, putting him ahead of some pretty big names across the city’s sports landscape.

That alone says a lot about how quickly Schaefer’s profile has grown.

Jastremski ranked Knicks guard Jalen Brunson No. 1, followed by Yankees star Aaron Judge and Mets slugger Juan Soto. Karl-Anthony Towns, Cam Schlittler, OG Anunoby, Ben Rice and Devils star Jack Hughes rounded out the eight names ahead of Schaefer.

Then comes the Islanders’ young star.

Schaefer landed ahead of Liberty star Breanna Stewart, Knicks guard Josh Hart, Giants pass rusher Brian Burns, Mikal Bridges, Jaxson Dart and Breece Hall.

For the Islanders, that is a pretty remarkable spot considering how quickly Schaefer has arrived on the New York sports scene. Hockey players, particularly Islanders, do not always receive the same citywide attention as stars from the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, or Giants. Schaefer is starting to become an exception.

And it is easy to understand why.

After entering the NHL with enormous expectations, Schaefer has quickly become much more than simply the future of the Islanders’ blue line. His combination of skating, skill and personality has made him one of the franchise’s biggest attractions and one of the most recognizable young players in hockey.

Putting him ninth in all of New York sports may even feel conservative to Islanders fans.

Still, the larger takeaway is significant. Schaefer is no longer being discussed only as one of the Islanders’ best players or one of hockey’s brightest young stars.

He is beginning to establish himself as something the Islanders have not had enough of over the years:

A legitimate New York sports star.

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