Schaefer Ties Six-Game Rookie Defenseman Record

Matthew Schaefer, the 18-year-old No. 1 overall pick by the New York Islanders, extended his rookie point streak to six games with a goal and an assist in New York’s 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena, tying Marek Židlický for the longest career-opening streak by an NHL defenseman. The multi-point night pushed Schaefer to seven points in six games, making him the NHL rookie scoring leader and co-leading all NHL defensemen in points; he also recorded his second career goal and a secondary assist on a power-play tally. At 18 he is the youngest defenseman to begin a career with a six-game point streak and his run ties Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky for the second-longest season-opening streak by an 18-or-younger player (Alexandre Daigle holds the record at seven). The win was New York’s third straight after an 0-3 start, with goalie Ilya Sorokin making 33 saves as Schaefer’s play bolstered the team’s back end. Schaefer, who posted 22 points in 17 OHL games in 2024-25 and represented Canada at the World Juniors before suffering a season-ending injury, will look to extend the streak when the Islanders host the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 23.