John Tavares started his career with the New York Islanders after growing up as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, something he and rookie Matthew Schaefer share.
Now, Schaefer returns to his hometown of the Greater Toronto Area to play in Scotiabank Arena for the first time in his young career.
John Tavares Praises Matthew Schaefer Ahead of Toronto-New York Clash
After going first overall to the Islanders in 2009, Tavares spent the opening nine seasons of his NHL career with the club. The 35-year-old then got the opportunity to play for his boyhood team, one he would captain for five seasons before passing the torch to Auston Matthews in 2024-25.
It appears Schaefer may be on a similar path, at least in terms of his legacy with New York. The 18-year-old continues to make a strong case for Calder Trophy honors with his impressive start in the NHL. With 20 goals and 28 assists, he leads all rookie defensemen in goals, assists, and points.
As the left-handed defenseman awaits a Tuesday matchup with Tavares in Toronto, the ex-Leafs captain was not shy to give Schaefer the ultimate praise.
John Tavares says of Matthew Schaefer: “He’s not just a franchise player but he’s certainly put himself in the conversation to be a generational type of talent.”
— Ethan Sears (@ethan_sears) March 17, 2026
Islanders beat reporter Ethan Sears touched on the matchup, quoting Tavares’ kind remarks.
“John Tavares says of Matthew Schaefer: ‘He’s not just a franchise player, but he’s certainly put himself in the conversation to be a generational type of talent.'”
While there is no way to predict Schaefer’s career path or his potential to follow Tavares’ footsteps, one thing is clear: the young star was born a Maple Leafs fan.
Matthew Schaefer on growing up in the area and going to Leafs games as a kid:
“I think there was a video, it was me and my dad and I was chanting ‘Go Leafs Go’ … it’s funny because times have changed and I’m an lslander now… my dad was a Leafs fan growing up, now we’re all…
— Anna Dua (@AnnaNoelleDua) March 17, 2026
Ahead of his return to Toronto, Sportsnet reporter Anna Dua asks Schaefer what it was like growing up in the area and going to Leafs games as a kid.
“I think there was a video, it was me and my dad and I was chanting ‘Go Leafs Go’ … it’s funny because times have changed and I’m an Islander now… my dad was a Leafs fan growing up, now we’re all Islanders fans.”
As an abundance of excitement inevitably awaits friends and family, Dua adds that an immense number of Schaefer faithful will be in attendance.
Matthew Schaefer has close to 1000 people coming to tonight’s game in Toronto
— Anna Dua (@AnnaNoelleDua) March 17, 2026
“Matthew Schaefer has close to 1,000 people coming to tonight’s game in Toronto,” Dua wrote in an X post.
Personal accolades aside, the 6-foot-2 defenseman has his team in a prime position to make a serious push for the postseason. Second on the team in points and joint second in total +/-, Schaefer may be exactly what the Islanders have been missing.
With the team failing to go further than the first round of the playoffs since 2020-21, the New York faithful are itching for a deep run.
The Islanders and Maple Leafs clash Tuesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. EDT from Scotiabank Arena with playoff implications at a premium.
