Nearly two weeks into his first NHL training camp, New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer is embracing every moment. The Islanders’ 2025 first-overall pick has quickly gone from development camp to rookie camp and now into the main room at Northwell Health Ice Center, where he’s leaned on veterans while soaking up the experience.
“It’s been awesome,” Schaefer said. “From the combine, to the draft, to development camp and now here, everything’s been a step in the right direction. I just want to get better every day. The guys have helped me so much along the way, and I’m starting to feel more comfortable and confident playing with them.