Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Matthew Schaefer Wins Calder Trophy, Becomes Youngest Ever

5/14/2026

46 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Schaefer Wins

Matthew Schaefer won the Calder Trophy on May 13, 2026.
He received all 198 first-place votes, earning 1,980 points.
At 18 years, 223 days, he became the youngest winner, a day younger than Nathan MacKinnon in 2013-14.
He posted 23 goals, 36 assists and 59 points in 82 games.
He dedicated the trophy to his late mother Jennifer, announced a support center, and was surprised by his father Todd and brother Johnny.

Summary

Schaefer Ties

Matthew Schaefer tied Brian Leetch’s record of 23 rookie-season goals by a defenseman and became the seventh defenseman to win the Calder Trophy, joining six others.
Peter DeBoer and GM Mathieu Darche kept Schaefer in the lineup for all 82 games, giving him 24:41 ice time.
Ballot gave Ivan Demidov 120 second-place votes, Beckett Sennecke 41, Jakub Dobes 32 third-place votes, and Penguins Ben Kindel ninth place, two third-place votes.

History

Historical Context

In 1989 Brian Leetch won the Calder Memorial Trophy after posting a rookie-record 23 goals for the New York Rangers, the first U.S.-born player to capture the award. His offensive success helped legitimize defensemen as scoring threats and inspired youth programs. In 2026 rookie Matthew Schaefer duplicated Leetch’s 23-goal mark, earning all first-place votes and joining the exclusive Calder-defensemen group.

1 of 3

Schaefer Wins

Matthew Schaefer won the Calder Trophy on May 13, 2026.
He received all 198 first-place votes, earning 1,980 points.
At 18 years, 223 days, he became the youngest winner, a day younger than Nathan MacKinnon in 2013-14.
He posted 23 goals, 36 assists and 59 points in 82 games.
He dedicated the trophy to his late mother Jennifer, announced a support center, and was surprised by his father Todd and brother Johnny.

1 / 3