Matthew Schaefer Wins Unanimous Calder Trophy, Setting New NHL Records

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was announced as the 2025-26 Calder Memorial Trophy winner on May 13, 2026. The Professional Hockey Writers Association placed him on all 198 first-place ballots, awarding him 1,980 points—the first unanimous selection since Teemu Selänne in 1992-93. At 18 years, 223 days, Schaefer became the youngest player ever to receive the award.

Schaefer wins Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the yearCBC NewsIsles' Matthew Schaefer wins Calder Trophy as NHL's top rookieIslanders Star Rookie Schaefer Receives Prestigious HonorIslanders’ Schaefer Wins Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the YearNew York PostNY Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer awarded the Calder TrophyIslanders' Matthew Schaefer wins Calder Trophy as NHL's top rookieMatthew Schaefer wins Calder Trophy as Demidov and Dobes finish in top fourESPN

Schaefer played all 82 games, posting 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points, tying Brian Leetch’s rookie-defenseman goal record and surpassing Phil Housley’s point record for 18-year-old defensemen. He led rookies in ice time (2,023 minutes 59 seconds), averaged 24:41 per game, and posted a +13 rating. He also became the youngest defenseman to record a point in his NHL debut and to score an overtime goal, and he logged at least 20 minutes in 70 consecutive games, a record for a teenager.

Schaefer wins Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year

Schaefer’s unanimous win makes him the sixth Islander and third Islander defenseman to claim the Calder Trophy. He partnered with the Islanders Children’s Foundation and Northwell Health to launch the Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Center, dedicating the honor to his mother, Jennifer, who died of breast cancer in 2024. The award highlights his emerging role as a franchise cornerstone.

Newsday

Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky said Schaefer’s off-ice contributions helped secure the unanimous vote. Todd Schaefer noted the award let him stop “keeping a secret” about his son’s achievement. The league confirmed the 198 unanimous first-place votes.

Newsday

Sources differ on the spelling of the third finalist’s name—“Beckett Sennecke” versus “Bennett Sennecke.” Ivan Demidov’s point total appears as 62 points in some accounts, while other reports focus solely on his voting total of 1,158 points. No dissenting commentary was identified.

Fox News (website)

• “We've done a lot as a family. My mom's helped me and my family so much with everything. We've had some tough losses, but it hasn't stopped us as a family. We've gotten a lot closer,” — Matthew Schaefer, Defenseman, New York Islanders

ESPN

• “I think the extra juice that makes it unanimous is that people recognize that this kid is special off the ice as well,” — Jon Ledecky, Co-owner, New York Islanders

Newsday

• “It’s definitely an honor and it’s a privilege to have this trophy.” — Matthew Schaefer

Islanders Star Rookie Schaefer Receives Prestigious Honor

The Islanders plan to build around Schaefer for 2026-27, expecting him to anchor the defense. The NHL All-Star weekend at UBS Arena will feature him, and the Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Center is slated to open later this year.

ESPN