The New York Islanders may have left Winnipeg with a 5-4 loss, but they avoided a much bigger scare - rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer is okay after a pair of injury scares that had fans holding their breath.
The 18-year-old phenom, taken first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, showed both resilience and toughness in Tuesday’s game against the Jets. Schaefer was forced off the ice twice - once in the first period after a potential head injury, and again in the second after taking a heavy slap shot from veteran defenseman Luke Schenn. Both moments looked concerning in real time, especially the second, when Schaefer dropped to the ice and visibly struggled to stay upright.
But in true hockey fashion, Schaefer gutted it out. He was evaluated for a concussion in the first period and cleared protocol before returning to the game.
Then, after taking Schenn’s shot in the second, he limped through the shift, got checked on the bench, and found his way back into the action. That kind of grit doesn’t just earn respect in the locker room - it resonates with fans, too.
Speaking on Thursday, Schaefer clarified what happened during the game. According to him, the hit from Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey looked worse than it was - it caught him in the stomach, not the head, which made clearing concussion protocol relatively straightforward.
As for the second incident, Schaefer explained that the puck struck a nerve in his knee, causing his leg to briefly go numb. “Eventually came back to life,” he added with a bit of levity.
And just to put an exclamation point on his night, Schaefer scored a goal with under a minute left in the third period. It wasn’t enough to complete the comeback, but it was a statement - he was still very much in the fight.
Now, he’s good to go for Thursday night’s tilt against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. It’s a marquee matchup, and Schaefer’s presence is a big boost for the Isles’ blue line. He already made his mark against the Oilers earlier this season, notching an assist in a 4-2 win at UBS Arena back in October.
Through 46 games, Schaefer’s rookie campaign continues to impress. He’s racked up 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points - outstanding production for a first-year defenseman. Beyond the numbers, it’s his poise, physicality, and willingness to battle through adversity that’s quickly turning him into a cornerstone for this Islanders squad.
Tuesday night was a reminder of how quickly things can change in this league - and how important it is to have players who can not only withstand the grind but rise through it. Schaefer’s already proving he belongs, and the Islanders are lucky to have him on the ice - and healthy - heading into the heart of the season.
Matthew Schaefer struggling after blocking a shot. pic.twitter.com/tF76ZIUGNc
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 14, 2026