Matthew Schaefer becomes youngest defenseman in NHL history with multi-goal game

The New York Islanders’ decision to entrust Matthew Schaefer with a prominent role on their NHL roster has proven prescient beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. On a memorable Sunday evening at UBS Arena, the 18-year-old phenom etched his name into the record books with a performance that will be remembered for generations. Schaefer’s two-goal performance in a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets made him the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a multigoal game, surpassing a mark held by none other than legendary Hall of Famer Bobby Orr.

The achievement carries particular weight given the stature of the player whose record fell. Orr, widely considered one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game, was 18 years and 248 days old when he scored twice on November 23, 1966. Schaefer accomplished the feat at just 18 years and 58 days, shattering the record by more than six months and announcing his arrival as a generational talent in his own right.

How Matthew Schaefer’s two-goal game youngest defenseman in NHL history performance unfolded

The stage was set for dramatics from the opening faceoff, with the Islanders coming off a three-game losing streak and desperate for points. Schaefer wasted little time making his presence felt, showcasing the offensive instincts that made him the consensus first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. At 5:53 of the first period, with the Islanders on the power play, Schaefer unleashed a booming point shot that found its way past Columbus netminder Elvis Merzlikins.

The goal exemplified Schaefer’s advanced hockey sense and shooting ability. With Anders Lee providing a crucial screen in front of the net, Schaefer’s shot sailed over Merzlikins’ glove before the goaltender could react. It was a textbook power-play goal, the kind veteran defensemen spend years perfecting, yet here was a teenager executing it with precision and confidence in just his 12th NHL game.

The Blue Jackets, however, refused to fold. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after defeating St. Louis 3-2 the previous evening, Columbus showed resilience despite lacking their usual energy. Miles Wood tied the game 1-1 midway through the second period, capitalizing on a beautiful cross-zone pass from Adam Fantilli at the blocker-side post. The momentum continued to shift when Denton Mateychuk gave Columbus a 2-1 lead at 12:10 of the third period, knocking down a rebound and converting on a backhand that beat a sprawling David Rittich.

With time ticking away and their backs against the wall, the Islanders faced a critical juncture. Down by a goal with less than two minutes remaining, many teams might have panicked or resigned themselves to defeat. Instead, head coach Patrick Roy pulled goaltender Rittich for an extra attacker, and the young defenseman who had already announced himself earlier in the game stepped up once more.

The historic moment that defined Matthew Schaefer’s two-goal game youngest defenseman in NHL history achievement

At 18:53 of the third period, with just 1:07 remaining in regulation, Schaefer wound up for another blast from the point. Once again, Lee positioned himself perfectly in front of Merzlikins, providing the screen that would prove crucial. The puck rocketed off Schaefer’s stick and somehow found its way through traffic and past the Columbus goaltender, tying the game at 2-2 and sending the UBS Arena crowd into absolute pandemonium.

“That was a big shift. That’s what happens when you put pucks on net,” Schaefer said after the game, displaying the kind of humble composure that has become his trademark. “A big grind out of the guys.”

The teenager’s modesty was endearing but perhaps undersold the magnitude of the moment. He had just tied a game in the dying seconds against a capable NHL team, preventing what would have been a regulation loss and buying his teammates precious time. But the Islanders weren’t finished, and neither was Schaefer’s impact on the contest.

A mere 29 seconds after Schaefer’s tying tally, the Islanders struck again. Simon Holmstrom, capitalizing on the chaos created by another Lee shot, tapped home a rebound at the top of the crease at 19:22 to give New York a 3-2 lead. When the final horn sounded just 38 seconds later, the Islanders had completed one of the most improbable comebacks in franchise history. According to team records, their comeback win with 1:07 to play in regulation (58:53 elapsed time) was the latest comeback win in regulation in franchise history, with only one other comparable rally occurring on March 28, 2019.

“We really grinded them out there,” Schaefer reflected after the victory. “That was a big shift out of the guys. Wow. I mean, it’s fun hockey to play and fun hockey to watch too, when your team goes to work and [gets] a couple of big goals there, and, you know, the last minute. So that was fun to watch and fun to play.”

Understanding the magnitude of the youngest defenseman in NHL history milestone

To fully appreciate Schaefer’s historic achievement, it’s essential to understand the company he now keeps in the NHL record books. Beyond surpassing Bobby Orr’s mark for youngest defenseman with a multigoal game, Schaefer also became the third-youngest player overall in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) to record two goals in a single game.

Only two players in the modern era have accomplished this feat at a younger age:

• Jordan Staal at 18 years, 41 days (October 21, 2006)
• Pierre Turgeon at 18 years, 54 days (October 21, 1987)

The comparison to Orr carries particular significance for those familiar with hockey history. Orr revolutionized the defenseman position, transforming it from a primarily defensive role into one that could dominate offensively while still maintaining defensive responsibilities. His offensive prowess from the blue line was unprecedented, and his records seemed untouchable for decades. For Schaefer to break one of Orr’s age-based records speaks volumes about his talent and the trajectory of his career.

Holmstrom, who scored the game-winning goal, was effusive in his praise for his young teammate. “It’s been fun to watch, to say the least,” Holmstrom said. “He’s a great skater, he’s super-poised with the puck and he was able to score two big goals for us tonight.”

Head coach Patrick Roy, who has won championships as both a player and coach, recognized the special nature of Schaefer’s performance while also crediting the team’s overall effort. “We had a strong 60-minute [effort],” Roy said. “Our first period was really solid. We had a lot of chances. Their goalie was really good. He made some great saves and kept the game where it was, and I thought in the third, we showed character. We showed that we were resilient by tying the goal and then scoring right after.”

The trajectory that led to Matthew Schaefer’s record-breaking performance

Schaefer’s remarkable NHL start didn’t begin with this two-goal performance. The young defenseman has been turning heads since training camp, forcing the Islanders’ management to make the difficult decision of keeping him on the NHL roster rather than returning him to junior hockey. That call has been validated repeatedly throughout the season’s first month.

Named NHL Rookie of the Month for October, Schaefer entered Sunday’s game with three goals and five assists in his first 11 NHL games. His ability to contribute offensively while handling significant ice time against NHL competition has been nothing short of remarkable. He regularly quarterbacks the Islanders’ power play, a responsibility typically reserved for veteran defensemen, and he executes those duties with a poise that belies his age.

Playing for the Erie Otters last season in the Ontario Hockey League, Schaefer dominated junior competition and established himself as the clear frontrunner for the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. The transition from junior hockey to the NHL typically takes years, with most young players requiring development time in the American Hockey League or additional junior seasons to refine their skills. Schaefer has bypassed those traditional steps, proving capable of competing at the highest level immediately.

His rapid ascension has drawn inevitable comparisons to other elite young defensemen who made immediate impacts in the NHL. Names like Aaron Ekblad, who won the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie at age 18, and more recently Luke Hughes, who has impressed with the New Jersey Devils, come to mind. However, Schaefer’s production through his first dozen games exceeds what even those talented players achieved at similar stages.

The home crowd at UBS Arena has embraced their young star with enthusiasm typically reserved for established veterans. “Schaefer! Schaefer!” chants have become a regular occurrence, echoing through the arena whenever the teenager makes an impact play. It’s a similar scene to when he scored his first NHL goal during the Islanders’ home opener on October 11, marking the beginning of what has become a love affair between the player and the fanbase.

The humble approach behind Matthew Schaefer’s two-goal game youngest defenseman in NHL history success

Perhaps as impressive as Schaefer’s on-ice accomplishments is the maturity and team-first attitude he displays in interviews and interactions with teammates. After making history with his two-goal performance, Schaefer could have easily basked in individual glory. Instead, he consistently deflected praise and credited those around him.

When discussing his tying goal, Schaefer was quick to highlight captain Anders Lee’s contribution. “Teammates, I just have to rely on them,” Schaefer said. “I don’t think that’s going in if Leezy is not there screening the goalie. I don’t think he really saw much.”

This humility and recognition of the team concept has endeared Schaefer to his veteran teammates and coaching staff alike. In a sport where ego can sometimes overshadow team success, especially for highly touted young prospects, Schaefer’s approach stands out. He understands that while his individual talent opened the door to NHL opportunity, sustained success requires collaboration and trust in those around him.

The Islanders’ veteran leadership group has embraced the young defenseman, providing mentorship while also recognizing his unique abilities. Lee, in particular, has taken Schaefer under his wing, both on and off the ice. Their chemistry was evident on both of Schaefer’s goals, with the captain providing crucial screens that allowed the youngster’s shots to find their mark.

From Columbus’ perspective, the loss was particularly frustrating given how well they had positioned themselves late in the game. Coach Dean Evason acknowledged his team’s slow start but praised their recovery. “We didn’t have our legs for whatever reason,” Evason said. “Obviously, we played last night and what have you, but they got the jump on us. We knew that they’d come out hard. Elvis obviously played great in the first period and kept us in it, giving us a chance. And then in the second period, we got our legs going, and we played really well for the rest of the game.”

Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner echoed his coach’s sentiments while expressing disappointment at the final result. “Our first period wasn’t up to our standard at all,” Jenner said. “We talked about it between periods. We got a lot better than that. Obviously, the second was much better and more like us, and we came out in the third the same kind of way. We get that one, but we just can’t let that happen at the end.”

What Matthew Schaefer’s historic achievement means for the Islanders’ future

The immediate impact of Schaefer’s record-breaking performance extends beyond a single victory in early November. With five goals and five assists through 12 games, the teenage defenseman is producing at nearly a point-per-game pace, extraordinary for any defenseman, let alone one who can’t legally purchase alcohol in the United States. His emergence provides the Islanders with a legitimate offensive weapon from the blue line, something they’ve lacked in recent seasons.

More importantly, Schaefer’s presence has energized an Islanders team that has struggled to recapture the magic of their playoff runs from earlier in the decade. The two-game winning streak following Sunday’s victory represents a potential turning point for a team that had lost three straight games prior. Young stars often provide that kind of spark, bringing enthusiasm and fearlessness that can be contagious throughout a lineup.

The defensive pairing combinations and power-play units will continue to evolve as coach Roy determines the best way to maximize Schaefer’s talents while protecting him from being overwhelmed. Managing a young player’s ice time and matchups remains crucial, even when that player demonstrates exceptional ability. The Islanders must balance their desire to ride Schaefer’s hot hand with the long-term imperative of his development and avoiding burnout.

As the season progresses, Schaefer will undoubtedly face adversity. NHL opponents will adjust their strategies, attempting to neutralize his offensive impact. Physical play will intensify, and the grueling 82-game schedule will test his stamina and resilience. However, if his first 12 games provide any indication, Schaefer possesses not only the skill but also the mental fortitude to handle whatever challenges arise.

The record books now bear Matthew Schaefer’s name alongside legends like Bobby Orr, and his historic two-goal performance against Columbus will be remembered as the night an 18-year-old defenseman announced himself as a genuine star in the making. For the Islanders and their fans, it represents hope for a bright future built around a generational talent who seems destined for greatness. Whether Schaefer ultimately reaches the heights of the Hall of Famers whose records he’s already breaking remains to be seen, but his journey has begun in spectacular fashion, and the hockey world is watching with anticipation to see what comes next. As detailed analysis of his season continues to emerge, one thing is certain: Matthew Schaefer’s name will be mentioned alongside the game’s elite for years to come.