With Erie Connection, Maggio Mentoring Isles Stud Schaefer
Maggio has taken the Islanders No. 1 pick under his wing.
Because of his outgoing personality, New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio seems to get along with just about everyone.
Entering his second full season of pro hockey, Maggio arrived at this year's development camp with valuable experience, having attended several camps before.
He knows firsthand how challenging and overwhelming these weeks can be for younger players.
So it was no surprise to see him take No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer under his wing. Throughout the week, the 17-year-old defenseman was practically glued to Maggio's side, with the two often paired up during drills and exercises.
But their bond didn’t begin at camp — it turns out their friendship was already well underway long before development camp got started.
“I met Matt when we were at the OHL awards together,” Maggio said. “I was just wrapping up my OHL career, and he was getting the award for going first overall [in the CHL Draft], so I got to meet him there. And we just starting talking.”
Those talks continued when Schaefer officially joined the Erie Otters, playing with Maggio’s best friend from back home, Spencer Sova.
Sova was named captain of Erie for the 2023-24 season, Schaefer’s first year in the OHL.
“They would FaceTime me when they were rooming together on the road,” Maggio said. “I’d talked to him and we stayed in touch.”
Little did Maggio know that not only would the Islanders win the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery but that they’d select Schaefer first overall.
“I sent him a text after the Islanders’ pick was announced. I just wanted to be there for him,” Maggio said. “And I feel like ever since we got to camp, we've been clicking really well. He's just such a great young kid with a good head on his shoulders. You can tell he's just a leader. It's unbelievable how good he looks out there and how efficient he is.
“So I think I was just trying to get out there and show him around and help him out, whether it’s getting comfortable with everyone, learning all the staff names…it's a lot. I mean, he's had a whirlwind the last week or two. So, I’m just trying to be there for him, someone to help him out through this, and just do what I can for him.”
While Maggio and Schaefer’s team for the Blue & White Scrimmage didn’t find the back of the net, it was clear that the two had a certain understanding of each other’s games.
Schaefer, on multiple occasions, was able to spring Maggio off the rush.
“I think just having a level of comfortability with him, someone that he’s known about…we've had mutuals for a while, and seeing each other over the last few years, certainly helps,” Maggio said. “We just have very similar personalities, and he's such a genuine, down-to-earth kid.
“I'm having a blast hanging out with him and getting to know him better. So hopefully he can get him down to Windsor for a weekend this summer and I can see him a little bit more.”
I did get the chance to ask Schaefer about Maggio before the week was done.
“I’ve gotten to know Maggio really well. He obviously knew the captain of my Erie Otters team last year. So I got to become close to him. He's really taken me under his wing. Coming in as a young player, you need a guy like that to make you feel welcomed and make you feel at home here. To have guys like him is pretty cool to have.”
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Maggio seems like a great kid and has leadership qualities. I would be shocked if he is more than a good AHL caliber player. God knows we need all the leadership we can get down there. I’m hoping Darche can convince Schaefer and his representatives he needs to go to college for a year. It’s more likely he gets nine games on the Island and gets returned to OHL for remainder of the season. Kid is too young and coming off a significant injury that limited his playing time and development last season. Bottomline it’s just about filling out and getting stronger. It would show tremendous maturity if he agrees to play a year in the NCAA (BU with fellow Islanders prospects). At this juncture I don’t see him beating out Pelech, Romanov, or George on the Left side. I do like the idea of moving Pelech to RHD for the future. He is a tremendous D-man when healthy. The switching of sides is not going to hurt his offensive game.