NY Islanders birthday boy Mathew Schaefer hungry to earn spot at training camp

New York Islanders prospect Matthew Schaefer is ready to turn the page from draft day hype to proving himself at training camp. The defenseman, who turned 18 on Friday, was the first overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft after the Islanders leapt nine spots by winning the lottery.

Schaefer, who missed most of last season with the OHL’s Erie Otters due to mono and a broken collarbone at the World Juniors, insists he isn’t taking anything for granted. “You don’t just get stuff given to you, right? You’ve got to earn it,” he said Wednesday at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase. “I still have to earn my spot on the team and that’s what I’m going into training camp to do. It’s going to take time, but I’m ready.”

Cleared for contact in May, Schaefer spent the summer training with NHL veterans Sean Monahan, Nazem Kadri and Scott Laughton. The experience, he says, was invaluable. “They have that work ethic where you want to learn from them,” Schaefer explained. “Going up against them, it makes me a lot better player… it’s very competitive, but it’s awesome.”

If he makes the roster, Schaefer’s NHL debut could come Oct. 9 in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby, followed by the home opener against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. The prospect of such a “welcome to the NHL” moment isn’t lost on him. “A lot of people told me they’re going to come to that, so I better be playing,” he said.

For now, Schaefer is focused on the work ahead. “When training camp comes, I’ve got to really prove a point and show them what I’m capable of,” he said. “I want to be on that opening-night roster.”

After months of hype, it's almost time for Schaefer to provie he belongs on the opening-night roster with a chance to stick all season long and be an instant difference maker on the backend.