New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer is off to an incredible start to his NHL career. Through his first 6 games played, he has 2 goals and 5 assists, and has yet to be held off the scoresheet, recording at least a point in every single game. As of today, he is second in D scoring only trailing the reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar.

Not just for his point production, but his skating, hockey sense and all around impact has already drawn comparisons to Makar, just about the highest praise a young defenceman could receive 6 games into their career. Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel made this comment to the media after the Jets 5-2 win over the Islanders “The kid is dynamic. Boy, can he skate. I’ve seen some young guys step into this league. There’s a guy in Colorado who kind of has that same kind of poise and ability to move. He is dynamic. I saw a video and watched him on TV last year. But to see him live, man, man oh man, he can jump. He can skate, and he has some tools. I’m glad he’s in the East”. High praise for the 18 year old.

His age is what makes it all the more impressive, as we rarely see a defenceman immediately step into the league, let alone be this good out of the gate. Makar played a year in college after being drafted, Lane Hutson was 20 at the start of last season. In fact in the last 40 years only one defenceman has won the Calder Trophy the year after they were drafted, Aaron Ekblad in 2015, but even he only had 39 points in 81 games as a rookie. Schaefer is on pace for a historic rookie season.

He is already making history in the early goings of this season, as he is the youngest defenceman in NHL history with a point in each of their first 6 games, and if he records a point in his next game he will have the record for the longest point streak to start a career by any defenceman ever. He is also the youngest player to record a multi point game in Islanders history, fans in New York have to be thrilled with how their first overall pick has played so far. 

Last night Schaefer was announced as the game’s first star after recording a goal and an assist leading the Islanders to a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. When asked by the on ice reporter if it was surreal hearing his name chanted by the crowd he responded saying “I love this place, let’s go Islanders baby!” which made the fans cheer even more. He has an electric personality that matches his great on ice play, and will become a very marketable player not only in Long Island but for the NHL in general. 

Sometimes we see rookies get sheltered a bit by their coaching staff, but Patrick Roy has been given no other choice but to let this kid play. He averages just over 22 minutes of time on ice per game, and has played over 26 minutes twice in six games. Recognizing that he is the team’s future, and now, they are letting him off the leash and it’s proving to be a good decision. The Islanders are on a three game win streak and will look to continue that on Thursday, October 23. If he records a point, Schaefer will become the record holder for point streak to begin a career by a defenceman.