Islanders sign No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer to three-year entry-level deal

Twenty young hockey fans, all who had a parent pass away just as Matthew Schaefer lost his mother to cancer, filled the Islanders’ dressing room at UBS Arena on Monday, waiting to meet the No. 1 pick from this June’s NHL Draft.

Then, Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche gave them a special assignment.

“Thanks for being here,” Darche told the children. “I think you know you’re going to meet Matthew, that’s part of today. What’s going to be more exciting is that you’re going to help me sign Matthew to his first contract.”

The Islanders announced Schaefer had signed a three-year, entry-level contract simultaneous to his throwing out the first pitch at Citi Field on Monday night before the Mets took on the Cleveland Guardians.

Schaefer, who does not turn 18 until Sept. 5, agreed to a contract worth $2.93 million, per PuckPedia.com, with a salary cap charge of $975,000.

“I feel amazing,” Schaefer told the media at Citi Field after throwing the first pitch to Mets third baseman Brett Baty. “But that was my dream and I want to play in the NHL this season. I know there’s going to be a lot of hard work that comes with it. But I think I’m ready.”

The Islanders open training camp in mid-September — the first preseason game is Sept. 21 and the regular season opens on Oct. 9 in Pittsburgh — and the 6-2, 183-pound, left-shooting defenseman is expected to earn a roster spot.

He can play up to nine NHL games before the first season of his entry-level deal is counted. But the Islanders will only be able to send him back to his junior hockey team as Schaefer is not age-eligible to play for their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

Schaefer is also now ineligible to play NCAA hockey after signing his entry-level contract. But he never seemed enthusiastic about playing for a U.S. college despite the lure of NIL money.

“Other people would always ask me, ‘Where do you want to go?’ ” Schaefer said. “I was so dialed in on wanting to play in the NHL. When I set goals for me, I work as hard as I can so I can get to that point.”

Schaefer had seven goals and 15 assists in 17 games last season for Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. His season ended in December after breaking his collarbone while playing for Team Canada in the World Junior Championships.

But he was a standout at the Islanders’ summer prospect development camp from June 30-July 3 at Northwell Health Ice Center, including a team scrimmage. Schaefer then got more game action at the World Junior Summer Showcase for Team Canada in late July.

“I think that was massive for me to get those games in and get those reps in because I haven’t played in quite some time,” Schaefer said. “To get games like that, it’s perfect.”

The Islanders also announced that Schaefer will wear No. 48, his preferred jersey number.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

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.