Few players make an indelible impression in their rookie season like Matthew Schaefer.
The New York Islanders defenceman is a shoo-in to win rookie of the year, so much so that the Calder Trophy hockey odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook were taken off the board.
And when you look at how many NHL records he set in his first season, you’ll understand why.
What Records Did Matthew Schaefer Set in Rookie Season?
| Month | Record |
| October | Youngest defenceman to score a point in debut |
| October | Youngest defenceman to score a power-play goal |
| October | Youngest defenceman to score a game-winning goal |
| October | Tied for longest career-opening point streak by a defenceman (6 games) |
| October | Second-youngest defenceman at the time of his first goal |
| October | Second-youngest defenceman with a multi-point game |
| October | First Islanders' teenager to reach 27 minutes of ice time |
| November | Youngest player with an overtime goal |
| November | Youngest defenceman with a multi-goal game |
| November | Third-youngest player in the past 80 years to score a goal in consecutive games |
| November | Second-fastest 18-year-old defenceman to score 15 points |
| December | Youngest defenceman to reach the 25-point mark |
| January | Youngest defenceman to reach the 10-goal mark |
| January | Second-fastest max skating speed by an 18-year-old player |
| February | Most goals by an 18-year-old defenceman |
| February | Franchise record for goals by any rookie defenceman |
| March | First defenceman to be first rookie with 20 goals in a season |
| March | Franchise record for points by a rookie defenceman |
| April | Most points by an 18-year-old defenceman |
| April | Tied for most goals by a rookie defenceman (23) |
| April | Tied for most game-winning goals by a rookie defenceman (4) |
| April | Set record for average ice time by an 18-year-old (24:41) |
Schaefer created more headlines in his first season than most do in a career.
Can you imagine how long his list of accomplishments will be in a few years, let alone at the end of what should be one of the most storied careers in NHL history?
He scored his 23rd goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs, tying the record set by Brian Leetch in 1988-89. Schaefer also finished his rookie campaign tied for the most game-winning goals (4) with Rasmus Dahlin, who accomplished the feat in 2018-19.
You can add another record to Schaefer’s list, as he finished level with Beckett Sennecke for most goals by a rookie (23) in the 2025-26 season. It’s the first time in 90 years a rookie defenceman led the goal-scoring chart.
Maybe most impressively, Schaefer set the record for highest average ice time by an 18-year-old, with 24 minutes, 41 seconds per game, smashing Dahlin’s previous record of 21 minutes, nine seconds per game.
Which Rookie Scored Most Goals?
Teemu Selanne holds the record for the most goals in a rookie season. He scored 76 goals in 84 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93.
Which Rookie Defenceman Scored Most Goals?
| Player | Year | Team | Goals | Games |
| Brian Leetch | 1988-89 | New York Rangers | 23 | 68 |
| Matthew Schaefer | 2025-26 | New York Islanders | 23 | 82 |
| Barry Beck | 1977-78 | Colorado Rockies | 22 | 75 |
| Dion Phaneuf | 2005-06 | Calgary Flames | 20 | 82 |
| Phil Housley | 1982-83 | Buffalo Sabres | 19 | 77 |
| Reed Larson | 1977-78 | Detroit Red Wings | 19 | 75 |
| Gary Suter | 1985-86 | Calgary Flames | 18 | 80 |
| Reijo Ruotsalainen | 1981-82 | New York Rangers | 18 | 78 |
| Brad Maxwell | 1977-78 | Minnesota North Stars | 18 | 75 |
| Ray Bourque | 1979-1980 | Boston Bruins | 17 | 80 |
In 1988-89, Leetch scored 23 goals in 68 games for the New York Rangers. Schaefer, who required 82 games, tied the record in 2025-26.
Who Had the Most Points in Their Rookie Season?
Selanne also had the most points in a rookie season, scoring 132 points in 82 games for the Jets.
Who Won the Calder Trophy Last Season?
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson won the 2024-25 Calder Trophy.
Who is the Youngest Calder Trophy Winner?
Nathan MacKinnon is the youngest Calder Trophy winner. He won the award in 2014 at the age of 18 years and 296 days.
Six other players were also 18 when they won rookie of the year: Connor Bedard (2023-24), Bobby Orr (1966-67), Dale Hawerchuk (1981-82), Tom Barrasso (1983-84), Aaron Ekblad (2014-15), and Jeff Skinner (2010-11).
You’ll soon be able to add Schaefer to the list.
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