Strong performances often draw attention quickly in the NHL, and one night can shift how a young player is viewed across the league. The same happened for the Islanders after their recent home win.
The impact did not end when the final buzzer sounded, as the moment brought attention from beyond the league later. It led to an unexpected connection between hockey and another major name in North American sports.
Tom Brady Praises Islanders Defenseman Matthew Schaefer Following Breakout Night
The New York Islanders earned a 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at UBS Arena. They erased two back-to-back deficits and stayed patient through a tight finish. While Auston Matthews scored twice for Toronto, the Islanders found answers when it mattered most.
Matthew Schaefer played a major role in the comeback. The 18-year-old defenseman scored two goals, including the overtime winner with 49 seconds left. He jumped into the rush and finished a pass from Mathew Barzal. Schaefer also tied the game earlier in the third period by driving to the net.
After the game, Schaefer pointed directly to his teammate. “That second one was all Barzal,” Schaefer said after the game on Saturday. “I forget who passed it up to Barzal, but it was basically all Barzal. He drew the man, and then he passed it right to me. I was right down the mainway. It was all Barzal.”
The same night, Schaefer’s name popped up in a different setting. In a video posted to Nobull’s Instagram account, Tom Brady was asked which NHL player he would want to sign. Brady did not hesitate when he brought up the Islanders’ rookie.
“One player right now? You know, I talked to this kid, Matthew, this young guy. He kind of has that eye of the tiger, that look that I always had. Matthew Schaefer, you heard of him? That’s who I want.”
READ MORE: NHL World Goes Wild as Matthew Schaefer Sinks Maple Leafs on Auston Matthews’ Milestone Night
Schaefer has already reached several milestones early in his career. He is the youngest defenseman to hit the 25-point mark and the youngest to score multiple goals in a single game. Since being selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft, he has logged heavy minutes and shown calm play on both ends of the ice.
The Islanders will look to carry that momentum into their next game. They host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at UBS Arena with a 23-15-4 record. New Jersey enters close behind in the standings, setting up another important matchup as the division race continues.
