New York Islanders defensenan Matthew Schaefer of Hamilton, Ontario has won the 2026 Calder Trophy presented to the National Hockey League Rookie of the Year. Schaefer received the honour after being named the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He was a unanimous choice as he was first on all 198 ballots.
In 82 games, Schaefer had 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points. He was a +13 with 38 penalty minutes, 18 power-play points, four game-winning goals, 222 shots on goal, 111 blocked shots, 40 hits, 38 takeaways, and 90 giveaways.
Schaefer had 12 multi-point games. His most notable game came on March 1, when he was instrumental in a 5-4 Islanders win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Schaefer had a career-high three points (two goals and one assist), and was an impressive +4 in the outing.
There is no doubt that Schaefer has a bright future on the Islanders blueline. At the end of the regular season, he was only 18 years and 223 days. Schaefer became the youngest player to win the Calder Trophy.
This is the second straight year a defenseman won the Calder Trophy. Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens received the honour in 2024-25.
There have now been six Islanders players all-time to win the Calder Trophy. The previous five were defenseman Denis Potvin of Vanier, Ontario (1973-74), Bryan Trottier of Val Marie, Saskatchewan (1975-76), Mike Bossy of Montreal, Quebec (1977-78), defenseman Bryan Berard (1996-97), and Mathew Barzal of Coquitlam, British Columbia (2017-18).
