Peter DeBoer reveals Matthew Schaefer nearly made Team Canada in Olympics
Peter DeBoer has revealed how close teenage NHL sensation Matthew Schaefer came to making Team Canada’s Olympic roster in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, DeBoer served as an assistant coach under Jon Cooper. Canada entered the tournament as a favorite and eventually secured the silver medal after losing to Team USA in the finals.
Now, over a month after the tournament, the veteran, who has now become the New York Islanders ‘ new coach, praised the 18-year-old’s maturity and early-season impact. MORE: What if Sharks drafted Matthew Schaefer? NHL analyst shares stunning scenario NHL analyst Mike Morreale shared DeBoer’s comments on X, where the coach admitted he was stunned by Schaefer’s level.
“(Team Canada’s management group) watched closely all the defenders in the league,” DeBoer said. “Honestly, I couldn’t believe my eyes the 1st half of the year what I was seeing from an 18yo. The maturity ..
he was within a razor of being on that Olympic Team at 18. ” While Schaefer caught the spotlight due to his impressive start in his rookie season, management chose experienced defenders for the final roster. The decision reflected a preference for stability, as general manager Doug Armstrong (who has now stepped down from the role) leaned on players who had already delivered in major tournaments.
Despite missing out, Schaefer’s case remained one of the biggest talking points around the team. Matthew Schaefer’s historic rookie season with the Islanders Schaefer’s rookie season with the Islanders has been historic. The 2025 first overall pick has led rookie defensemen in scoring and ice time, while breaking multiple age-related records.