Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer unanimous choice for Calder Trophy

He is the first unanimous winner since Winnipeg Jets forward Teemu Selanne in 1992-93

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Published May 14, 2026  •  2 minute read

New York Islanders' Matthew Schaefer (48) drives past Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Robinson (50) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. Photo by Frank Franklin II /AP

NEW YORK — New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer has been awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

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Selected first overall in the 2025 NHL draft, Schaefer is the sixth Islander to win the Calder Trophy and the youngest winner in NHL history at 18 years and 223 days.

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He is also the first unanimous winner since Winnipeg Jets forward Teemu Selanne in 1992-93 after earning the first-place vote on all 198 ballots cast.

Schaefer set NHL records for an 18-year-old defenceman with 23 goals and 59 points.

He also led all rookies in ice time with over 2,023 minutes and finished fifth among rookies with a plus-13 rating.

Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov, who finished second in voting, and Anaheim Ducks winger Beckett Sennecke were the other finalists. Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes was fourth in voting.

On Monday the Islanders announced they would donate $150,000 to create a child support center in honour of Schaefer’s late mother, Jennifer, who died of breast cancer in February 2024.

The team and Northwell Health announced the creation of a place at R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Hospital on Long Island in New Hyde Park, New York, for children to wait while a parent undergoes treatment. Following the donation from the Islanders Children’s Foundation, the center named for Jennifer is set to open in October.

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Schaefer has talked extensively about his mother’s battle and death and her impact on his life and hockey career. The team put a pink breast cancer ribbon on the jersey presented to Schaefer at the draft in June, and he made the moment a tribute to his mom.

“I think about my mom every day — her strength, her hope and the way she carried herself with a smile throughout her fight against cancer,” Schaefer posted on Instagram. “This work is for her and for every family walking that road. I’m dedicating my time, energy and focus to standing beside them, carrying forward the same strength and fight my mom showed every day.”

Co-owner Jon Ledecky said: “By honoring Jennifer Schaefer’s memory in this way, we are ensuring that no child has to walk through these difficult moments alone, providing them with a place of comfort, play and support when they need it the most.”

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