Heartbreak for star rookie Matthew Schaefer…

It was a big night on Tuesday for New York Islanders star rookie Matthew Schaefer. Against the Chicago Blackhawks, he bacame the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 career points. At 18 years and 116 days old, achieved the feat midway through the first period, he collected an assist on a Bo Horvat power-play goal.

The young guy is just unbelievable. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick now has nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points so far this season. He is so talented, but apparently, not enough for another feat to add to his short resume.

According to Ken Campbell, a reliable source has informed him that, once the official roster for Team Canada for the upcoming Olympics will be announced in a couple of hours, Schaefer won’t have made the cut.

He will apparently be an injury replacement.

“Was told by a very reliable source that Matthew Schaefer will not be on the Canadian Olympic roster when it is named tomorrow, but he will be an injury replacement.”

As heartbreaking as it might be for Schaefer, he still has plenty of time to make the cut in the future. He has achieved so many milestones in his rookie season, after becoming the second-youngest defenseman to score a goal at 18 years, one month and six days, and also becoming the youngest player to score an overtime goal.

He is unbelievable and I bet it’s just a question of timing.

Plus, after Tuesday’s game, Schaefer might feel more lucky to be healthy after he went flying into the post during the third period against the Hawks, and it looked almost identical to the play that ended his season last year when he was part of Team Canada for the World Junior Championship.

He however stayed in the game, and that’s just be a thing to celebrate on its own.

I would have loved to see Schaefer make the cut for the roster of Team Canada in Milan, but I am sure he will be called if someone on the blue line gets hurt, and will make the team in the coming years.