Islanders' Matthew Schaefer isn't disappointed at not getting Olympics call
Matthew Schaefer #48 of the New York Islanders plays the puck against the Utah Mammoth at UBS Arena on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 in Elmont, New York. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Matthew Schaefer still would love to play for Team Canada and confirmed on Thursday that he remains on the list of potential injury replacements for next month’s Winter Olympics in Italy.
But the Islanders’ 18-year-old rookie holds no disappointment about not being one of the eight defensemen named to Team Canada’s 25-man roster on Wednesday.
“They have a great team,” Schaefer said after the Islanders’ 7-2 loss to Utah at UBS Arena. “I’m young. There’s a lot of great Canadian defensemen and they all play in the NHL. I’m ready if I ever get a call.”
If his phone does buzz between now and Feb. 11, Schaefer could become the first 18-year-old to play for Team Canada since Eric Lindros in 1992.
Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong said on Wednesday that Schaefer was not on “my radar at the start of the season” and that he was “shocked at how quickly he worked his way into our conversations.”
“They’re going to do great things,” Schaefer said. “I was really happy my name was even in the running. It’s an honor when your name is in the running for the Olympics and Team Canada.”
Schaefer’s power-play goal against Utah on Thursday made him the youngest defenseman in NHL history (18 years, 118 days) to reach 10 goals. He also has 16 assists in 41 games.
Islanders coach Patrick Roy was asked if he was surprised that Schaefer was not selected to Team Canada.
“Yes and no,” Roy said. “It’s pretty amazing what he’s been doing since he’s been here. For someone who played 17 games last year coming into the NHL and playing the way he has, nobody expected that.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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