NY Islanders Matthew Schaefer channels his inner Clark Gillies and Al Arbour at NHLPA Rookie Showcase

Expectations are already sky high for Matthew Schaefer after the NY Islanders selected the left-handed defenseman first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

On the ice today at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, Schaefer, though unintentional, sported the looks of two of the biggest names in Islanders history who surpassed all expectations.

Schaefer has some fun at Rookie Showcase

Spotted wearing a pair of glasses, the Isles rookie gave off vibes of Al Arbour during the 1960s, who wore glasses while playing.

Schaefer was wearing the glasses with recording technology to document the day's events. He’d go to tell Sami Silber, Washington Capitals reporter for The Hockey News, “I don’t wear glasses. I don’t hope to wear glasses.”

Not only did Schaefer sport a similar look to the Islanders' four-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach, but he also donned a fake handlebar mustache, posing a similarity to the Islanders’ bruiser, Clark Gillies.

Schaefer, along with Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Perekh, who is also considered one of the NHL’s top defensive prospects, had a good laugh while rocking the false facial hair, enjoying their time as only a couple of teenagers could do.

Marc Gatcomb joins Schaefer at the Rookie Showcase as the two representatives of the Islanders. The two didn’t sport any funny accessories, but they did pose for a photo paying homage to Stepbrothers, one of the top comedy movies in recent history. 

Both Schaefer and Gatcomb are expected to be part of the Islanders’ out of training camp, but for now, they’re enjoying their time with some of the faces of the NHL’s future.