Matthew Schaefer named Islanders assistant captain in telling move
TORONTO — Matthew Schaefer is just 19, but coach Pete DeBoer nonetheless called him a “future captain” of the Islanders during the preseason.DeBoer and the Islanders backed up their words Tuesday, announcing that Schaefer will be one of four players to wear an “A” this season.Since just two players can do so in each game, Schaefer and Kyle Palmieri will be the Islanders assistant captains for home games, with Ryan Pulock and Brayden Schenn filling the role when the club is on the road.The appointment doesn’t come as much of a surprise.When the Islanders named Bo Horvat captain at the start of training camp, they didn’t keep it a secret that Schaefer was considered.
Barring something unexpected, he’s the captain-in-waiting — and, with Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini being given captaincies in Chicago and San Jose, by the time Schaefer has a “C” on his jersey, it’ll be well after some of his peers.Not that that’s entirely a bad thing.“It shows you how special a kid he is that he was a consideration,” DeBoer said early in camp.“Otherwise, his name never would have been ever mentioned, so that shows you already the respect the group has for him, the respect the team has for him and how he carries himself.
He’s so mature beyond his years.He was definitely a consideration.”DeBoer also said at the time that the Islanders would have a larger leadership group beyond players wearing letters.
Among those he named as part of it were Adam Pelech and Mat Barzal.After Schaefer, Schenn and Tony DeAngelo missed practice Sunday, all three were on the ice Tuesday for practice in Gravenhurst, Ontario.There were no surprises in how the Islanders reportedly lined up, with DeBoer keeping intact the same lines and pairs that have been in place for much of training camp.Likewise, Ilya Sorokin is expected to start in net Wednesday against the Maple Leaf.Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.
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