Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer sets NHL record for goals by 18-year-old defenseman
The incredible freshman season for last year’s first-overall pick continues.
On Thursday night, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer scored the 17th and 18th goals of his rookie campaign, setting the record for most goals by an 18-year-old blueliner in NHL history.
The tallies came in quick succession. Late in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens, the Hamilton, Ont. native scored his first of the game to put the Islanders on the board. Then, just 55 seconds later, Schaefer did it again, firing a wrist shot by Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault to tie the game two.
MATTHEW SCHAEFER SCORES AGAIN, ARE YOU KIDDING?! 🤯 MAKE THAT TWO GOALS 55 SECONDS APART FOR THE 18-YEAR OLD DEFENCEMAN 🚨
Schaefer has seemingly been on a goal-scoring tear as of late. He scored three goals in the last five games before the Olympic break, with the Calder Trophy favorite now having found the back of the net five times in the last six contests.
This isn’t the first record Schaefer has set this season. He became the youngest player to score an overtime goal, doing so against the Utah Mammoth on Nov. 14.
There’s no question that the former Erie Otter rearguard has had a successful maiden voyage in the NHL. While some wondered how he could fit into the league, he has certainly met the standard of being an everyday defender in this league, and in some ways has exceeded it. Along with his incredible individual efforts, Schaefer has brought life to Long Island, as the team not only is having a solid run, but is a contender to potentially win a round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In playing all 59 games for the Isles, the 6-foot-2 blueliner now has 41 points, placing him second on the team in scoring behind forward Mathew Barzal.
Heading into Thursday night’s action, the Islanders (32-21-5) were third in the Metropolitan Division, one point back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for second place, and nine behind the first-place Carolina Hurricanes.