Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer reveals veteran’s joke after tying NHL record

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has made NHL history all season long. He is putting the finishing touches on one of the best rookie seasons of all-time. New Islanders coach Pete DeBoer got his first look at the 18-year-old star. And Schaefer used that opportunity to tie another record against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Schaefer scored his 23rd goal of the season against Toronto. With this marker, he has now tied former New York Rangers rearguard Brian Leetch for the league’s rookie record for goals by a defenseman. It’s an incredible feat, and it drew a hilarious reaction on the ice.

Schaefer mentioned to reporters that Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson congratulated him on his achievement. Ekman-Larsson was feeling rather humorous when he did so, as well. “He’s like, ‘I had 23 goals one season. I don’t know if you were born yet,’” Schaefer recalled, via The Athletic’s Peter Baugh.

Baugh noted that Schaefer was indeed born when Ekman-Larsson scored his 23 goals. The Islanders defenseman was seven years old when Ekman-Larsson achieved the feat with the now-defunct Phoenix Coyotes. Those 23 goals still stand as a career-high for the 2024 Stanley Cup champion.

Schaefer and his Islanders teammates hope to raise the Cup themselves sooner rather than later. However, there is some work to do on that front. New York is one point back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the Metropolitan Division. They are also three points back of the Ottawa Senators for the final Wild Card spot in the East.

New York returns to action on Saturday afternoon against the Senators, though. If Schaefer brings his A game, the Isles could draw ever closer to a playoff spot. And the 18-year-old may cement his claim as one of the best rookie performers in recent memory in the process.

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