NY Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer's grandparents are proud of their grandson for all the right reasons

New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer has already produced a string of historic firsts in his first week in the NHL. Saturday in Ottawa brought another first — one that mattered long before he touched the puck. His grandparents, Helen and Al, who live in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and rarely travel to see him play in person, were in the building for his first NHL game in his home country. They watched from the stands as the 18-year-old extended his season-opening point streak to five.

"I don't think it would be a better feeling if I won the lottery," Al said to MSG Networks' Shannon Hogan. Of course, the Islanders fans know what winning the lottery feels like, as the team won the NHL Draft Lottery, with only a 3.5% chance, for the privilege of drafting Schaefer.

They also admitted to TSN that their hearts were racing as he stepped onto the ice. But what they spoke about most had nothing to do with time on ice or Calder buzz. “What he does for grieving kids means more to me than him scoring a goal,” his grandfather told the network during the broadcast.

Schaefer has been open about the loss of his mother to cancer, and how speaking about it rather than burying it has helped him heal. With his rise to the No. 1 pick and the attention that comes with it, he has chosen to use that platform. He has made it a priority to meet young kids who have gone through a similar loss — not for a camera, not as a charity date on a calendar, but because he understands the scar.

Over the summer, Schaefer invited grieving families into the Islanders dressing room. Those same families helped witness the signing of his first NHL contract. His grandfather’s point landed clearly: the goals, the minutes, the headlines are impressive — but the compassion is what lasts. The family will be proud of the career he builds. They are already proud of the person he is.