New York Islanders’ defenseman Matthew Schaefer is the recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy for 2025-26. The Professional Hockey Writers Association selected Schaefer as the most proficient player in his first year of competition.
Schaefer was surprised with the trophy during an interview on “Good Morning America.” His father, Todd, brother, Johnny, Islanders alumnus Matt Martin, and Martin’s two daughters presented the award.
Unanimous Selection and Record-Breaking Season
Schaefer, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, is the sixth player in Islanders history to capture the Calder Trophy. He is the first since Mathew Barzal in 2017-18. At 18 years, 223 days, Schaefer is the youngest Calder Trophy winner in NHL history. He is one day younger than Nathan MacKinnon in 2013-14.
Schaefer received first-place votes on all 198 ballots. He is the first unanimous Calder Trophy recipient since Teemu Selanne of the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93.
Schaefer’s Dominance on the Ice
Schaefer set a League record for production by an 18-year-old defenseman with 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points in 82 games. He became the youngest blueliner in NHL history to register a point in his League debut. Schaefer also became the youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal.
He is the first defenseman in more than 90 years to lead rookies in goals. His 23 goals and 59 points surpassed Phil Housley for the most by an 18-year-old defenseman. Schaefer placed fifth among rookies in plus/minus (+13).
Schaefer topped New York and all NHL rookies with 2,023:59 of total time on ice.
Calder Trophy Voting Results
Here’s a look at the top vote-getters for the Calder Trophy:
- Matthew Schaefer, NYI – 1,980 points (198 first-place votes)
- Ivan Demidov, MTL – 1,158 points
- Beckett Sennecke, ANA – 958 points
Jakub Dobes, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Jesper Wallstedt also received votes.
Alexander Nikishin, Ryan Leonard, Ben Kindel, Fraser Minten, Oliver Kapanen, Justin Sourdif, Justin Hryckowian and Linus Karlsson also received votes for the Calder Memorial Trophy.