Islanders Matthew Schaefer effect so real team ran out of his jersey numbers and everyone is feeling it

Matthew Schaefer is a hit from the blue line to the profit line.The red-hot New York Islanders are seeing surges in ticket sales, TV viewership and fan engagement — largely thanks to the rookie phenom who wears No.48.“We ran out of fours and eights to make jerseys.

We hustled to restock,” Kelly Cheeseman, the Isles and UBS Arena’s new president of business operations, told The Post of what fans call the “Schaefer Effect.”“It’s real,” he added, also saying overall jersey sales shot up 63% year over year, with the 18-year-old leading the way as the top seller.Fans love the first overall draft pick for reasons beyond his electric 23 points in 34 games, however.He’s courageously carried on after losing his mother to breast cancer in 2024, and has struck a wholesome chord by living with former player turned special assistant to the general manager, Matt Martin, and his family.Long Island-adoring Schaefer watches cartoons like “Paw Patrol” with the Martin kids, helps them skate and has his pregame clothes picked out by the patriarch’s wife, Sydney Esiason.“I think in particular, you’re seeing that vulnerability with Matthew Schaefer,” said Cheeseman, who credits the player for having a role in the team’s 40% boost in social media engagement.“There’s a lot of things there that are similar and relatable … he’s just a college kid.”More encouraging metrics, like a 37% rise in broadcast viewership, a 7% increase in ticket sales and a 58% boost in viewers age 25 to 54, don’t just fall on the shoulders of the young defenseman with a heartfelt backstory, Cheeseman said.The team’s mighty play following a slow start, the 19-12-3 Islanders are second in the Metropolitan division, has been a major driver.“We have a legitimate chance to sell out every game until the Olympic break,” he said of the February hiatus.“That’s the trend that I’m more focused on.”Cheeseman is also striving to grow the fanbase and may be able to po...