Coach Pete DeBoer expects Matthew Schaefer to become future captain of Islanders
According to New York Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer, the team already has its future captain.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, DeBoer said defenseman Matthew Schaefer will one day wear the “C” on Long Island.
“He’s going to be a future captain of this team.”
Earlier this month, the team named forward Bo Horvat the 16th captain in franchise history. Anders Lee previously held the captaincy since 2018, but the forward signed a three-year contract with the Utah Mammoth this summer.
Schaefer is coming off one of the most impressive seasons for a rookie defenseman in NHL history. He finished with 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points, averaged 24:41 of ice time per game, capped off by winning the 2025-26 Calder Trophy for rookie of the year.
His 23 goals placed him second among all NHL defenseman in 2025-26, behind only Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals. He made NHL history by tying Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch for the most goals by a rookie defender, and also became the youngest blueliner in NHL history to reach 50 points in a season.
Schaefer, a native of Hamilton, Ont., was selected by New York with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He came out of junior with plenty of talent and hype, despite only playing 73 career OHL regular-season games due to injuries. In parts of two seasons with the Erie Otters, the 6-foot-2 defender posted 10 goals and 29 assists for 39 points.
The Islanders finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 43-34-5 record and 91 points, sixth in the Metropolitan Division and eight points back of a Wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
