Matthew Schaefer has ice in his veins.
The 18-year-old hockey phenom is doing all the pieces proper in his early days with the New York Islanders, with the primary total draft decide coolly thriving on and off the rink a month into his rookie season on Lengthy Island.
“I visited New York Metropolis as soon as a few years in the past, after which that was actually it. I didn’t know a lot about Lengthy Island,” the younger NHL star advised The Submit after a follow final week.
“Now I really feel like I’ve recognized this island endlessly,” stated the Ontario-born participant, who just lately shattered the legendary Bobby Orr’s report of being the youngest defenseman with a multipoint sport.
Schaefer has rapidly turn out to be a blue-and-orange fan favourite and will get reward for exhibiting distinctive emotional maturity within the wake of dropping his mom, Jennifer, to breast most cancers in early 2024.
“She would simply mild up a room — her smile, her giggle, she was all the time joking round,” he stated in the beginning of the NHL’s Hockey Fights Most cancers month. “She was all the time having a good time and all the time completely satisfied it doesn’t matter what she was going by means of.
“Each night time, I all the time discuss to her,” stated Schaefer, whose jersey on draft night time had his mother’s initials and breast-cancer consciousness ribbon stitched on.
The promising expertise additionally stated he’s wanting into getting concerned regionally for most cancers causes.
“I simply want she have been right here and I used to be in a position to give her a hug.”
Prolonged household
Schaefer is surrounded by assist on LI, dwelling with beloved former Islander Matt Martin alongside together with his spouse, Sydney Esiason Martin, and their kids — somewhat than an remoted resort room or empty residence.
“We’re doing numerous issues collectively — video video games, all that stuff,” he stated of Martin, who’s a particular assistant to normal supervisor Mathieu Darche.
“I suppose I’m probably not a fighter, so perhaps he could make me a little bit more durable,” Schaefer quipped of Martin.
Schaefer stated he makes time to watch “Paw Patrol” with the Martin youngsters — they usually return the favor by rooting him on in entrance of their TV.
He’s additionally borrowing some fashionable gadgets from Martin’s closet to the purpose that it’s now a family norm.
“The pregame routine is, after I stand up from my nap, I textual content his spouse, and I am going, ‘I’m prepared.’ And she or he has an outfit prepared for me — and it’s simply all his garments.
“I suppose I don’t have to fret about wanting good after I come to the rink,” he stated jokingly.
The brand new ritual additionally evokes one thing very particular that Schaefer used to share together with his mom.
“My mother would all the time costume me and costume me up — whether or not it’s pea coats, turtlenecks and all that,” he stated.
“She positively received some type into me, after which now, clearly, I’m getting much more type into me.”
It’s not simply Schaefer’s compelling backstory that wins over the stands, although. UBS Area erupted through the workforce’s dwelling opener towards Washington when No. 48 scored his first-ever NHL aim — and plenty of occasions since, for Schaefer’s mighty play.
“I really like these guys — the entire followers, all the pieces,” he stated of the “passionate” bunch that’s gushing over him extra every sport.
“And we don’t just like the Rangers.”
Ragging on the ‘Rags’
Schaefer teased Blueshirts great-turned-broadcaster Henrik Lundqvist throughout a Wednesday interview with TNT, to the enjoyment of many Isles fanatics.
“It’s fairly powerful to get a Ranger asking the primary query,” Schaefer stated — as LI native and co-host Liam McHugh was ready his flip to chime in.
When former NFL nice and East Islip native Boomer Esiason — the dad of Martin’s spouse — jokingly wore a Rangers jersey for Halloween, Schaefer coated the emblem together with his arms.
He’s additionally significantly keen on the Islanders followers’ conventional singing of, “If you recognize the Rangers suck, clap your arms” to the tune of “In case you’re completely satisfied and you recognize it.”
Schaefer stated it reminds him of a razz that loyalists of his former Canadian Hockey League workforce, the Erie Otters, chant in regards to the rival London Knights in Canada.
“We made enjoyable of London, now we’re form of doing the identical factor right here for the Rangers. I imply, it’s fairly cool,” he stated forward of the Isles’ Saturday night time 5-0 steamroll at Madison Sq. Backyard.
“I like it.”
Consuming it up
If the teenager has ruffled any Lengthy Island feathers, it occurred benignly in September when he disclosed a controversial bacon, egg, and cheese bagel order that contained “guacamole.”
The younger participant stated he remorsefully misspoke and truly ordered simply avocado.
“I don’t know why I stated guacamole,” he stated.
Schaefer is definitely diving into the Lengthy Island meals scene with enthusiasm and has been exploring a number of Manhasset eating places and varied steakhouses.
The native delicacies has gained him over sufficient that, ought to his girlfriend, Samantha, come down from Prince Edward Island, Schaefer stated, “I don’t suppose we’d go into town” for date night time.
“Possibly [after] go to the seashores, perhaps go for a stroll or one thing like that, get some contemporary air,” he stated.
“We’re not too choosy.”
Schaefer can also be wanting ahead to {golfing} at Lengthy Island’s bounty of programs and exploring areas such because the Hamptons, the place he went with teammates to play Sebonack.
“I’m very inconsistent. I don’t get out sufficient to be actually good. So truthfully, I’d should say, [I shoot] like, excessive 90s on a extremely good day, after which, mid-hundreds on a foul day,” he admitted of his golf swing.
“I imply, if my driver’s good, then I feel that helps,” added Schaefer, who went to the Ryder Cup to look at.
Past the glamorous lifetime of a brand new NHL star, Schaefer stated his thoughts stays centered on two issues — onerous work and gratitude for unwavering household assist.
“I don’t suppose I might get right here as we speak if it weren’t for my household,” Schaefer stated of his dad, Todd, brother Johnny, and his late mother, Jennifer.
“I do know she’s all the time with us in spirit. … I do know she has a front-row seat.”
