Islanders Children’s Foundation donate to hospital to create support center named after Matthew Schaefer’s late mother

The New York Islanders are giving back in support of one of its top stars.

On Monday, Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News reported that the team and rookie Matthew Schaefer are teaming up with Northwell Health to create a child support center, named the Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Center, paying tribute to the defenseman’s late mother.

The Islanders’ Children’s Foundation is making a donation of $150,000 to help create the center, with the goal of having the operation up and running by October.

In a release, Schaefer noted that the goal of the new center is to support patients during their battles with cancer, as well as help those around them.

“My mother was someone I looked up to immensely,” Schaefer said. “I remember sitting by her side while she was battling cancer, and she always had a smile on her face. She was full of joy. By teaming up with Northwell Health, I hope we can bring a little of her joy to others who are fighting cancer, and to their families as well.”

The room will be located in New Hyde Park at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center. It will feature hockey-themed elements, including memorabilia from the Isles, as well as a variety of entertainment options such as air hockey, a scoreboard with customized greetings, gaming consoles and bubble hockey. The space, dedicated for children while their parents undergo cancer treatment, will be staffed by a counselor and equipped with a private space for grief counseling.

Schaefer’s story has been well told. In February 2024, Jennifer lost her fight with breast cancer, with Matthew being all but 16 at the time. When he heard his name called by the Islanders the following year, first overall at the 2025 NHL Draft, the team had a purple ribbon stitched onto his sweater. Schaefer has since joined Hockey Fights Cancer as a champion.