EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Schaefer’s Brother Johnny Reflects On Islanders Rookie’s Calder Trophy Season & Willingness To Give Back
Matthew Schaefer’s brother, Johnny, opens up about the Islanders rookie’s Calder Trophy season, emotional family journey, and relentless desire to give back off the ice.
Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer was a difference maker on and off the ice for the New York Islanders this season.
On Wednesday, he was named the 2025-26 Calder Trophy winner, awarded annually to the player deemed the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.
The honor further highlighted the kind of person Schaefer is away from the rink as well, as he brought the trophy to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park.
Schaefer has partnered with Northwell Health to open the “Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Center” this fall in honor of his late mother, who passed away from breast cancer in February of 2024.
Following the event, I caught up with Schaefer’s older brother, Johnny, who opened up about how proud he is of Matthew’s accomplishments this season & the relentless mentality driving him to give back & make a difference.