Matthew Schaefer’s historic rookie season is one step away from being immortalized in {hardware}.
During a dwell broadcast of the NHL draft lottery Tuesday evening, the 18-year-old defenseman was announced as a finalist for the 2026 Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded yearly to the player “selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL.”
Schaefer was announced alongside Montreal’s Ivan Demidov and Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke.
Matthew Schaefer (48) reacts to a purpose by Anders Lee (not pitured) during the first interval of the Islanders’ 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks on March 24, 2026 at UBS Arena. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The winner is chosen by a ballot of the Professional Hockey Writers Association members at the conclusion of the common season.
Schaefer has lengthy been thought of the front-runner for the award after making an rapid influence on the Islanders in more methods than one.
After the Islanders chosen Schaefer with the high choose in last yr’s draft, the Ontario native endeared himself to the fanbase and the complete NHL both on the ice and off. His stardom has pulled a much-needed highlight onto the hockey club on Long Island.
Posting 59 factors (23 objectives, 36 assists) over 82 video games, Schaefer tied Brian Leetch’s document for the most objectives by a rookie defenseman in a single season.
After a robust first season behind the bench of the Isles’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, Rocky Thompson earned a place with the varsity club as an assistant coach, the team announced Tuesday.
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