NY Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer set for massive homecoming in Toronto

For many young hockey players growing up in Canada, cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs is almost a rite of passage. That was certainly true for Matthew Schaefer.

The Hamilton, Ontario native grew up just over an hour from Toronto, and like countless kids in the region, he followed the Leafs closely. But Islanders fans shouldn’t worry — this homecoming isn’t the start of some future free-agency storyline. For now, and hopefully for a long time to come, Schaefer’s return to Toronto is simply about sharing a special moment with family and friends.

On Tuesday night, the 18-year-old rookie defenseman will skate at Scotiabank Arena for the first time as the New York Islanders face the Leafs. And when Schaefer looks up into the stands, he’ll see plenty of familiar faces.

Actually, more than plenty.

When asked how many people he expects to attend the game, Schaefer revealed the number could be staggering.

“There are lots of people that I’ve known but may not be super close to,” Schaefer said. “It’ll be pretty close to 1,000. It’s nuts.”

The Islanders rookie said a large group of his closest supporters will gather together in one suite, while others are securing seats throughout the arena.

“Honestly, we have a box,” Schaefer said via The Hockey News. “So a lot of people I’m super close with will be in the box, and other people will get their own tickets and things like that. But, I mean, a lot of people are texting my dad.”

It’s the kind of moment young players dream about — playing an NHL game in front of the community that helped shape them.

And if history repeats itself, Schaefer might give those fans something memorable to cheer about.

The last time the Islanders faced Toronto, Schaefer delivered a breakout performance, scoring twice — including the overtime winner — in a thrilling 4–3 victory on Jan. 3.

Now he’ll try to do it again, only this time with nearly a thousand hometown supporters watching.