Former Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schafer unanimous winner of NHL's Calder Trophy
Former Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer became the youngest winner of the NHL's rookie of the year award as a member of the New York Islanders.
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was unanimously voted the winner of the National Hockey League’s 2025-26 Calder Memorial Trophy. That undisputed outcome, though, wasn’t why the former Erie Otter became a historic recipient of its rookie of the year award. Schaefer also became the youngest honoree of a trophy first presented in 1937.
The Hamilton, Ontario, native, was 18 years and 223 days old for the final day of the Islanders’ regular season. Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon was one day older as the Calder Trophy’s 2013-14 recipient. Schaefer’s father and brother were among those surprised him with the news during his May 13 interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America.
” Missing was Jennfier Schaefer, who died from breast cancer in 2024. Matthew Schaefer dedicated the award to his mother. "We've done a lot as a family,” Schaefer said in comments republished in an espn.
com article. “My mom helped me and my family so much with everything. We've had some tough losses, but it hasn't stopped us as a family.