New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy has been consistent all training camp in how he evaluates his youngest players: mistakes are going to happen, but it’s how they respond that matters. On Saturday night, 18-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer gave him a textbook example.
Schaefer, the Islanders’ top draft pick in June, had a difficult opening period in the preseason finale, a 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. The pace and physicality of an NHL-caliber opponent pushed him into some uncomfortable spots. But rather than let the rough start sink his night, Schaefer regrouped and settled in as the game went on — something his head coach noticed right away.