New York Islanders defenseman Matt Schaefer of Hamilton, Ontario made National Hockey League history on Sunday. According to Rogers Sportsnet on Sunday, he became the youngest defenseman to ever score two goals in a game. He accomplished the feat in a 3-2 Islanders win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Schaefer accomplished the feat at 18 years and 58 days. The previous record belonged to former Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr of Parry Sound, Ontario. He had two goals in a 5-4 Bruins loss to the New York Rangers on November 23, 1966 at the age of 18 years and 248 days.
Schaefer’s first goal opened the scoring at 5:53 of the first period on the power play. Bo Horvat of London, Ontario and Kyle Palmieri had the assists. Schaefer’s second goal was unassisted with one minute and seven seconds left in the third period and tied the game at two goals apiece.
So far this season, the first overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft has five goals and five assists for 10 points in 12 games. Schaefer has two penalty minutes, five power-play points, one game-winning goal, 36 shots on goal, 12 blocked shots, six hits, six takeaways, and 16 giveaways. The game-winning goal came on October 21 in a 4-3 Islanders win over the San Jose Sharks. Schaefer scored at 6:38 of the second period from Anthony Duclair of Pointe-Claire, Quebec and Kyle Palmieri of Smithtown, New York.
