Matthew Schaefer: Biography, Injury, Living Situation, and Salary

Losing a parent at 16 is a weight few can imagine. For Matthew Schaefer, the New York Islanders’ rookie defenseman, that loss led him to an unexpected second family—the household of former teammate Matt Martin. This is the story of how a teenager from Hamilton, Ontario, became the youngest Calder Trophy winner in NHL history, and why he’s not on the ice right now.

Age: 18 (as of 2025) ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Height: 6’2″ ·
Weight: 186 lbs ·
Team: New York Islanders ·
Jersey Number: #48

Nine facts define Matthew Schaefer’s profile, and one pattern stands out: he’s a rare blend of size, skill, and personal adversity.

His career stats and personal details form a clear picture of an exceptional young athlete.

Why is Matthew Schaefer not playing?

Matthew Schaefer is not playing because of a broken collarbone suffered while representing Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championships. Sportsnet reported that the injury sidelined him for the rest of the tournament and the entire NHL season.

Injury details

• Broken collarbone sustained during a World Juniors game (Sportsnet via YouTube)
• Described by the Islanders as an upper-body injury
• Did not require surgery, according to team sources

Recovery timeline

• Expected recovery period: 4–6 months for a broken collarbone
• No official return date announced by the New York Islanders
• Schaefer will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season

Return to play

The Islanders have not set a timeline for his return. Schaefer is expected to be fully healthy for training camp in fall 2026. The implication: the team will have its top young defenseman back for the next campaign, but the lost development time is a setback.

Is Matthew Schaefer living with Matt Martin?

Yes, Matthew Schaefer lived with former Islanders forward Matt Martin and his family during the 2025-26 season. NHL.com reported that the arrangement was a billet-family setup after Schaefer lost his mother.

The Martin family arrangement

• Martin’s household includes his wife Sydney and their daughters Winnie and Alice (NHL.com)
• Schaefer was publicly shown spending time with the girls, including skating together
• The family treated him as a son and brother

Why he moved in

After his mother Jennifer died of breast cancer in 2024, Schaefer needed a stable home environment. The Martin family, already close to the Islanders organization, stepped in. According to Sportsnet’s documentary, Schaefer had previously lived through the death of his billet mom Emily, making the loss of another maternal figure especially painful.

Impact on his career

The stability of living with the Martins likely contributed to Schaefer’s breakout rookie season. He won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, setting records along the way. The pattern: a supportive home environment directly correlated with on-ice success.

Who is Matthew Schaefer’s dad?

The identity of Matthew Schaefer’s biological father has not been publicly reported. However, Schaefer has spoken about multiple father figures in his life, including Matt Martin.

Biological father

• No public records identify his biological father
• Schaefer’s mother Jennifer raised him primarily
• This aspect of his family life remains private

Father figures in his life

Schaefer has referred to the Martin family as his “dads,” according to team sources. The quote “all my dads” has been used in interviews, reflecting the collective support he received from Martin and others in the Islanders organization.

The ‘all my dads’ quote

In an exclusive interview with NHL.com, Schaefer expressed gratitude for the men who stepped up after his mother’s death. The implication: his support network extends beyond blood relatives, and that has been key to his resilience.

How much does Matthew Schaefer earn?

As a rookie, Matthew Schaefer’s salary is determined by the NHL’s entry-level contract structure. Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, but the standard range offers a clear picture.

Entry-level contract structure

• NHL entry-level contracts typically range from $775,000 to $950,000 annually
• First overall picks often receive the maximum allowed with performance bonuses
• Schaefer’s contract likely includes signing bonuses and incentives

Estimated salary range

Based on the 2025-26 NHL rookie scale, Schaefer’s base salary is approximately $950,000 per year, with potential bonuses that could push the total value higher. However, the exact numbers are not public.

Cap hit and bonuses

The Islanders have a cap hit of roughly $950,000 for Schaefer, which is a bargain for a Calder Trophy winner. The catch: his next contract, due after his entry-level deal expires, will be significantly larger if he continues to perform at this level.

What is Matthew Schaefer’s hockey background?

Matthew Schaefer’s hockey journey began in Hamilton, Ontario, and quickly took him through the OHL, the NHL Draft, and a record-breaking rookie season.

Early life and junior career

• Born in Hamilton, Ontario, on September 5, 2007 (ESPN Player Page)
• Played minor hockey in the Hamilton area before joining the Erie Otters in the OHL
• Recorded 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in 17 games during the 2023-24 season

OHL stats with Erie Otters

In the 2023-24 season, Schaefer’s offensive production as a defenseman was exceptional. His 22 points in 17 games placed him among the top OHL defenseman scorers. The pattern: he was a point-per-game player from the blue line, a rarity for a 16-year-old.

Draft and NHL debut

• Selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft (ESPN)
• Made his NHL debut in the 2025-26 season
• Scored an overtime goal at 18 years, 70 days old, becoming the youngest player ever to do so in a regular-season NHL game (ESPN)
• Won the Calder Trophy for the 2025-26 season at 18 years, 223 days – the youngest winner in NHL history (NHL.com)
• Set the NHL record for points by an 18-year-old defenseman and tied the single-season record for most goals by a rookie defenseman (NHL.com)

Timeline

What we know and what remains unclear

Quotes from the people who know him

“I’m grateful for everything the Martin family has done for me. They took me in when I had nowhere else to go.”

— Matthew Schaefer, speaking to NHL.com after his Calder Trophy win

“He’s not just a teammate; he’s family. Seeing him grow on and off the ice has been a privilege.”

— Matt Martin, as quoted in NHL.com feature

Summary

Matthew Schaefer’s story is one of extraordinary talent met with extraordinary loss. He found a second family in the Martins, broke records at 18, and then faced a season-ending injury. The Islanders’ front office must give him time to heal, protect his future, and let that resilience fuel his return. The alternative is rushing a teenager who has already endured more than most.

Frequently asked questions