Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer unanimous choice for Calder Trophy

New York Islanders' Matthew Schaefer (48) drives past Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Robinson (50) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK — New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer has been awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

Selected first overall in the 2025 NHL draft, Schaefer is the sixth Islander to win the Calder Trophy and the youngest winner in NHL history at 18 years and 223 days.

He is also the first unanimous winner since Winnipeg Jets forward Teemu Selanne in 1992-93 after earning the first-place vote on all 198 ballots cast.

Schaefer set NHL records for an 18-year-old defenceman with 23 goals and 59 points.

He also led all rookies in ice time with over 2,023 minutes and finished fifth among rookies with a plus-13 rating.

Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov, who finished second in voting, and Anaheim Ducks winger Beckett Sennecke were the other finalists. Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes was fourth in voting.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2026.