"In his first 11 NHL games, the 18-year-old blueliner racked up eight points (three goals, five assists) while logging a rookie-best 22:21 of ice time per game. He led all first-year players in shots on goal (33) and power-play goals (two) - and, among all defensemen in the league, he's tied for the lead in power-play goals and sits in the top 10 in points. That's not just good for an 18-year-old; that's good, period."
"Schaefer's early impact has already landed him among some elite company. He's just the second defenseman in NHL history to record at least eight points as an 18-year-old through 11 games, joining Hall of Famer Phil Housley. He's also one of only four 18-year-old defensemen since 1984 to score three goals in a single month - names like Rasmus Dahlin and Aaron Ekblad keep him in rare air."
"The milestones have piled up fast. Schaefer scored his first NHL goal just two days into his career and became the youngest defenseman ever to score a power-play goal. Then came the record-setting six-game point streak, the longest ever to start an NHL career by any 18-year-old player. And when he scored the game-winner against San Jose on October 21, he became the youngest defenseman in league history to do so."
Matthew Schaefer was named NHL Rookie of the Month for October after recording eight points (three goals, five assists) in his first 11 NHL games. The 18-year-old averaged 22:21 of ice time, led rookies with 33 shots and two power-play goals, and ranks among defensemen in power-play goals and points. He became the second 18-year-old defenseman to reach eight points through 11 games, joining Phil Housley, and one of four since 1984 to score three goals in a month. Milestones include scoring his first NHL goal two days into his career, becoming the youngest defenseman to score a power-play goal, setting a six-game point streak to start his career, and becoming the youngest defenseman to score a game-winner. He is the first Islander since Mathew Barzal and the franchise's first defenseman to earn Rookie of the Month.
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