Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer ties single-season rookie defenseman goals record
Matthew Schaefer’s incredible rookie season continues to get more and more historic, as the New York Islanders defenseman has tied the record for most goals by a rookie defenseman in a single season.
MATTHEW SCHAEFER HAS TIED BRIAN LEETCH'S ROOKIE D-MAN GOAL RECORD OF 23!!!!! 🤯🚨
Schaefer achieved the record midway through Thursday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. As the Islanders were maintaining possession in the Leafs’ zone, Ondrej Palat passed the puck to Tony DeAngelo, who was right around the center of the blueline. DeAngelo dished the puck to Schaefer on his left, who took advantage of the space to skate in and fire a shot past Artur Akhtyamov, giving the Islanders the 3-2 lead in the game.
With the goal, Schaefer gets his 23rd of the season, which ties New York Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch for the most from a defenseman in their rookie season. Leetch achieved the mark in the 1988-89 season when he posted 23 goals and 48 assists for 71 points in 68 games, which earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy that season.
While Schaefer’s goal ties Leetch for the most goals in a single season, Schaefer is still two goals away from Leetch’s total goals as a rookie. While Leetch got 23 in his recognized 1988-89 rookie season, he also played 17 games the season prior after playing with the United States National Development Team, and scored two goals in that stint, bringing his total “rookie goals” to 25. No defenseman has had more while classified as a rookie.
With Schaefer’s 23rd goal, that brings his total up to 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points in 78 games and what has occurred thus far of Thursday’s game. He entered Thursday tied for second in rookie scoring for goals and points, and is the favourite for the Calder Trophy. With 59 points, Schaefer currently sits 11th all-time in points by a defenseman in a single season.