Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer becomes youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 points

New York Islanders’ defenseman Matthew Schaefer made history Tuesday night, becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 career points.

Schaefer, who on Dec. 30 was 18 years and 116 days old, achieved the feat midway through the first period of the Islanders’ matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, assisting on a Bo Horvat power-play goal.

The 2025 No. 1 overall pick now has nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points. Going into Tuesday night, he was averaging 23:47 of ice time, the most among New York skaters.

According to the NHL’s Public Relations team, Schaefer, who was playing in his 40th game of the season, required the fourth-fewest games by an 18-year-old defender to reach 25 career points, behind only Phil Housley (30), Ray Bourque (33) and Bobby Orr (38).

Tuesday’s record is just the latest in a series of milestones Schaefer has achieved in his rookie season. Earlier this year, Schaefer became the second-youngest defenseman to score a goal at 18 years, one month and six days. He also became the youngest player to score an overtime goal.

Schaefer, a native of Hamilton, Ont., came out of junior with plenty of talent and hype, despite only playing 73 career OHL regular-season games. In parts of two seasons with the Erie Otters, the 6-foot-2 defender posted 10 goals and 29 assists for 39 points. 

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis wrote this about Schaefer last June: 

“There isn’t a better, more deceptive skater on the blueline in this draft class, with his mobility being among the best we’ve seen in recent draft classes,” Ellis wrote. “Schaefer is as good of a puck distributor as you’ll find, too … that’s partly because he thinks that game is at such an advanced level at his age, often luring opponents in before pulling off a deceptive deke and getting the puck where it needs to be”

Ahead of Tuesday’s game, the Islanders were 21-14-4 with 46 points, second in the Metropolitan Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference.