Former Otter Matthew Schaefer Claims NHL Rookie of the Year Honours
On Wednesday, former Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer officially became the NHL’s top rookie, capturing the 2026 Calder Memorial Trophy following one of the most remarkable rookie campaigns by an 18-year-old defenceman in league history. He also became the youngest winner in league history and the first unanimous recipient of the award since Teemu Selanne in 1993.
While the hockey world watched Schaefer rewrite NHL record books with the New York Islanders, his path to stardom truly began in Erie.
Selected first overall by the Otters in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Schaefer immediately arrived with lofty expectations, becoming just the third player in franchise history to be taken first overall, joining OHL alumni Ryan O’Reilly and Connor McDavid. He was also the first defenceman ever selected first overall by the organization.
From the moment he entered the league, Schaefer showcased the elite skating, composure, and hockey sense that would later define his NHL rookie season. During his first OHL campaign in 2023-24, he recorded 17 points (3-14–17) in 56 games while earning OHL All-Rookie First Team honours. Beyond the numbers, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier young two-way defencemen, trusted in all situations against top competition night after night.
The OHL’s development environment also helped prepare Schaefer for success on the international stage. While starring in Erie, he captained Team Canada White to gold at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge before later capturing another gold medal with Canada’s Under-18 team.
By the start of the 2024-25 season, Schaefer had cemented himself as one of the top prospects for the upcoming NHL Draft. Before his season was cut short by injury following the World Junior Championship, he was producing at better than a point-per-game pace from the Otters’ blue line with 22 points (7-15–22) in just 17 games.
Despite suffering a broken collarbone at the World Juniors that ended both his tournament and OHL season, Schaefer’s draft stock never wavered. The Islanders selected him first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, confident that the habits, maturity, and complete game he developed in Erie would translate seamlessly to the professional level.
Schaefer delivered a historic rookie campaign in New York, tying Brian Leetch’s NHL record for goals by a rookie defenceman with 23 while posting 59 points, the most ever by an 18-year-old defenceman in NHL history. He also became the youngest defenceman to record a multi-goal game and the youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal.
But beyond the records, Schaefer’s success reflects the developmental path the OHL continues to provide for elite young players.
From handling major minutes against NHL-calibre competition to developing leadership qualities, learning how to manage adversity, and competing under the pressure that comes with being a top prospect, Schaefer’s time in Erie helped prepare him for hockey’s biggest stage.
The OHL has long been recognized as one of the premier development leagues in the world, and Schaefer’s Calder Trophy victory adds another chapter to that legacy.
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