NY Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer makes opening night roster after strong camp

After an impressive training camp that exceeded expectations, 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer, the New York Islanders’ No. 1 overall pick, has officially earned a spot on the team’s opening night roster and will make his NHL debut Thursday against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

From his first skate at Northwell Health Ice Center, Schaefer looked determined to prove he belonged. His maturity, elite skating, and poise under pressure stood out to both teammates and coaches — and the improvement was visible each time he hit the ice. Head coach Patrick Roy praised his mental resilience after a rocky first period in preseason, saying, “It was a tough first period, let’s be honest. But I thought he bounced pretty good. He didn’t let that affect himself — that’s where I’m proud of him.”

That steadiness and ability to learn on the fly made the difference in his bid to crack the NHL lineup. As Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News reported, GM Mathieu Darche explained the roster decision:

“He had a great camp. I mean, you saw it all — his skating abilities, but just the way overall he’s conducted himself in practice, the way he works in practice, the way he played in those games, and he got better as camp went on.”

The 18-year-old defenseman — poised, fast, and confident — will now be thrown into the deep end, facing one of the NHL’s greatest centers in his first regular-season game. It’s a monumental test, but one that reflects the organization’s growing confidence in him.

Schaefer’s presence on the roster is more than a youth movement — it’s a sign the Islanders are embracing the next generation under Roy and GM Mathieu Darche. The journey begins Thursday in Pittsburgh, where Schaefer’s NHL story officially starts.