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Islanders Rookie Matthew Schaefer Sets NHL Mark as Youngest Defenseman to 50 Points

The milestone came in a 3-2 loss that nudged New York out of a playoff spot.

Overview

  • Schaefer reached 50 points with the opening goal in the loss to Ottawa, his 21st of the season.
  • At 18 years, 195 days, he surpassed Phil Housley’s 1983 benchmark to become the youngest defenseman to hit 50 points, with those two the only 18-year-old blueliners to do so.
  • The first-overall pick in 2025 now sits at 21 goals and 29 assists in 69 games, ranking 12th among defensemen in points and second in goals behind Jakob Chychrun.
  • He leads all rookies in goals and is third in rookie scoring behind Ivan Demidov, with coverage casting him as the Calder Trophy favorite and noting possible Norris consideration.
  • He is two goals shy of Brian Leetch’s NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman (23 in 1988–89).