New York Islanders Phenom Matthew Schaefer Shuts Down Calder Trophy Talk, Said It’s About The Team

Matthew Schaefer has every bit lived up to his billing as the first overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft.

The 18-year-old defenseman is the overwhelming favorite to win the Calder Trophy, the NHL’s Rookie of the Year award. Through the New York Islanders’ first 65 games, Schaefer has 46 points (third), 20 goals, 24:07 average time on ice and 124 total shots.

That ranks number one across the board in the latter three categories.

Schaefer has earned the respect of his teammates and players across the league, with his teammate, captain Anders Lee, calling him a “complete stud.” Lee said he has never played with anyone like Schaefer and said the “sky is the limit” for the 18-year-old rookie.

“For me, it’s always team first,” said Schafer in a one-on-one interview. “It’s not you, it’s we. I think that’s also a thing, it’s always a mentality we as a team we’re a team. When you’re part of that NOBULL (Schaefer is partnered with NOBULL, the sportswear company) and things like that, we’re a team. It’s a mindset that matches the hockey culture, too, and it’s just awesome because we we care about each other. It’s not, ‘Oh, you had a great game,’ it’s we had a great game together.

“Honestly going into the season, all I was thinking about was I wanted to be with this team to help this team so we could go as far as we can,” Schaefer continued to say. “Everyone has a role, and everyone is so important to this team. We honestly just want to go as far as we can. We want to win games for our team and the fans, and at the end of the end of the day, we just want to have as much fun as we can and dial in.”

During the interview, Schaefer mentioned how he’s not even thinking about winning the Calder Trophy, he’s about approaching the game by having fun, winning and playing for his teammates.

That mindset has worked so far as the Islanders have 79 points through 65 games and they’re currently sixth in the Eastern Conference. They’ll have to continue to win and battle to hold off other teams in the playoff race. Entering Thursday night’s play, the Columbus Blue Jackets – the first team outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture – are currently hanging around with 76 points.

“When you’re playing, and there’s ups and downs and things like that, every game is a playoff game, and the East is so tight that every game matters so much,” said Schaefer. “All the points you can get matter, so every game we’re playing everyone has to give it their all, and everyone has to be going. Because when it’s so tight, if you lose a bunch of games, you can be out of a spot just like that. For us, we just keep having fun with it, too. We believe what we got going on in the room, and we believe that we have something super special in the room with this team.”

Schaefer said the key to finishing the season strong is by “having fun” and playing every game like its their “last.” The Islanders have won their past games in overtime against the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks.

“We’re just going to keep getting better, keep having fun, just when all our lines are rolling and when we’re playing Islanders hockey, that’s when we’re at our best,” said Schaefer. “We’re just going to keep doing us, we’re going to adapt. We got a big win on our road trip there, and we got to keep going. We have two games at home the next couple days, those are gonna be two big ones too. I think there’s 17 games left, something like that. We gotta play every game like it’s our last game.”

Matthew Schaefer On Why He Chose To Partner With NOBULL, How The Company Has Been ‘Key’ In His Life

Schaefer is partnered with NOBULL and its obvious its not just a partnership, its a company whose mantra he has embraced. He repeatedly mentions “NOBULL” when it comes to mentality and finishing the season strong.

While Schaefer is a big fan of the products – he wears the shirts, shorts and shoes – he mentioned the family aspect led by majority owner Mike Repole as a reason why he really enjoys being a part of the company.

“I heard about Mike Repole and things he’s done with his businesses in the past, and all his companies he’s had,” said Schaefer. “To see how much care he takes and how much effort and time he puts into it, he gets the right people to be a part of that company and things like that. For me, family’s so big. The first day I met all the people that work with NOBULL from top to bottom, it’s pretty cool to see just how close people are and how much they care about you. They they want the best for you. They want you to know people they want you to look the best, and things like that.”

Schaefer mentioned that he’s actually talked to Tom Brady as a result of being partnered with NOBULL, who is a co-owner and strategic partner of the company. The Islanders rookie has been partnered with the brand since before the start of the 2025-26 NHL season, with NOBULL being named the official training shoe of the league. Schaefer said the Boston-based company has been very important in his life, especially after Schaefer’s mother passed away in 2024.

“I’ve gone through a lot of my life, and family is super key,” said Schaefer. “To see all the things they’ve done with NOBULL, and how big it’s getting, and how many people love the apparel and the shoes and the clothes and everything. But obviously the people that are part of it, especially Tom Brady. He’s obviously the GOAT. To have a guy like that help Mike and start the business. He’s done a lot of great things for sports and football. It’s just awesome. I’m so happy to be a part of it. It’s an honor.”