Matthew Schaefer will have plenty of support in the crowd tonight for his NY Islanders and NHL debut

There is excitement in the air as NY Islanders hockey returns tonight. While the beginning of the season brings along new hope for all teams and fan bases, it is a fresh start on Long Island with Mathieu Darche now in charge and Matthew Schaefer stepping into the lineup.

All eyes have been on Schaefer since being selected first overall this summer, and he’ll step onto the ice for his first time opposed by Sidney Crosby. But he won’t be doing it alone. He’ll have the support of 20-30 people in the crowd, including his brother and father, who have been instrumental in his upbringing.

There will be plenty of support for Schaefer tonight

“My dad’s been super excited,” Schaefer said after this morning's pre-game skate. “He’s like ‘Oh, I can’t believe you’re going to play in the NHL.’ He’s like a kid in a candy store right now, just enjoying it. Through all the hard times where your parents are working and driving you to practice, they’re doing a lot of stuff. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

When Schaefer takes the ice tonight, he’ll be the second youngest player to ever skate for the Islanders at 18 years, 1 month, and 4 days, as Nino Neidereitter was three days younger for his debut. 

There’s a lot on Schaefer’s shoulders as the top overall pick, but he’s such a well-minded young man and appears prepared for the ups and downs of an NHL rookie. Despite it being his first game, he’s handling it like any other game. 

“You’ve dreamed of playing in the NHL one day, and the work doesn’t stop here,” Schaefer says. “The work's just getting started here, so, honestly,  it’s just like every other game.  You want to get the season going, just get that first shift in, and want to get the game in. Just put your head down and get to work.”