Matthew Schaefer’s NHL career is off to an incredible start.
The New York Islanders‘ defenseman was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and he’s been as advertised.
On Tuesday night, that hype showed up in a new NHL record.
Schaefer scored what worked out to be the game-winning goal over the San Jose Sharks.
In the process, he became the youngest player in league history to score a game-winning goal, according to Sportsnet, with Schaefer coming in at 18 years and 46 days old.
#Isles Matthew Schaefer (18 years, 46 days)
Youngest defenceman in NHL history to score a game-winning goal pic.twitter.com/jIvSxG1qB4
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 22, 2025
Schaefer has been the man in the early going.
He entered the night with a goal and four assists and added this tally.
Through six games, Schaefer leads all NHL defensemen in points, not just rookies.
The 6-foot-2 lefty from Hamilton, Ontario looks right at home in the NHL.
At least so far, the Islanders can feel really, really good about the guy they landed with the top pick in the draft.
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