Islanders' Matthew Schaefer returns home for first NHL game in Canada
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer against the Edmonton Oilers at UBS Arena on Thursday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
OTTAWA, Ontario — Matthew Schaefer, born in this Ontario province in Hamilton, will return to Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday for his first NHL game in his home country under much different circumstances from December’s World Junior Championships, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury while playing for Team Canada.
The Islanders’ No. 1 overall pick, 18, is off to a storybook start as the youngest player in NHL history with a four-game point streak to begin his career, which he can extend against the Senators.
The lefthanded defenseman worked with the first power play during Friday’s practice at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow a little more than 12 hours after coach Patrick Roy said it was inevitable that he would supplant righthander Tony DeAngelo with that unit.
Schaefer’s maternal grandparents are making the nine-hour drive from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to watch their grandson play in the NHL for the first time and will join another large contingent of his friends and family in the stands. Schaefer’s mother, Karen, passed away in February 2024 at age 56 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
“I played the World Juniors here in Ottawa, so first time back, it’s awesome,” Schaefer said. “It was rocking when we played there. First game in Canada. I know there’s going to be lots of family.”
Schaefer had the secondary assist on Bo Horvat’s power-play winner in the third period of Thursday night’s 4-2 victory over the Oilers at UBS Arena as the Islanders earned their first win. Roy has swapped Schaefer onto the first power-play unit at times for DeAngelo throughout the first four games. Friday’s practice elevation seemed to cement the change.
“I don’t think it’s much different,” Schaefer said. “We’re both going out there to score goals.”
“Me and him are both all right,” DeAngelo said. “We know we can both handle the first unit and make plays for guys. The units have both been good. We don’t look into it too much.”
But Schaefer’s speed, especially when on the ice with fellow speedster Mathew Barzal, does give the power-play unit an advantage.
The Islanders are 3-for-16 (18.8%) on the power play this season after going 1-for-5 against the Oilers.
“He’s such a threat to pick up the puck and go,” said Horvat, coming off his second career hat trick. “They have to respect his speed before he drops it to Barzy. Then they have to respect Barzy’s speed also. It just adds an extra level of being a threat coming down the ice. The forwards back off a little bit more.”
Notes & quotes: Roy confirmed that No. 1 goalie Ilya Sorokin will start as planned after David Rittich made 31 saves against the Oilers in his first appearance as an Islander. Sorokin is 0-3-0 with a 4.18 goals-against average and an .854 save percentage, and Roy stayed on the ice with him after Thursday’s morning skate to work on his confidence and rebound control. “I always enjoy every workout Coach can give me,” said Sorokin, who usually works closely with goalie coach Piero Greco. “It’s the same ideas, but he adds little details. I feel good. Every day is a new day. I have a fresh mind.”. . . Defenseman Alexander Romanov missed practice for maintenance and Roy said he will be a game-day decision against the Senators . . . The Islanders announced a new program that will offer discounted tickets this season to military veterans, first responders, healthcare workers and teachers.
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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