Matthew Schaefer gives coaches first glimpse in Islanders development camp

There may have been some half-joking attempts to recruit Matthew Schaefer from the Islanders’ prospects who will be going to school in the fall. 

Schaefer, though, is not looking to play in college, and he’s not looking to return to the OHL’s Erie Otters.

When he comes back to Long Island in September for training camp, he doesn’t want to leave. 

“I haven’t thought about [college] at all,” the No. 1 pick said after development camp wrapped up Thursday. “My goal is to play here on the Island. This is where I want to be. I haven’t thought about anything else. I can’t wait to work hard this summer, so I’m here.” 

For four days this week, Schaefer was the biggest show at development camp.

The Islanders’ practice facility was over capacity for Wednesday night’s scrimmage, and the practices all drew large crowds despite being on weekday mornings. 

That was in no small part for Schaefer, with a buzz picking up whenever the puck was on his stick and brand new No. 48 sweaters easy to spot. 

“I think the roof would go up if he would’ve scored on one of those plays,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. 

Though it’s no guarantee Schaefer makes the roster, what he did show this week made clear how high his ceiling is.

Even in light practices, his skating skill is obvious, and his ability to move the puck and make outlet passes was on display throughout Wednesday’s scrimmage. 

Bridgeport coach Rocky Thompson, who ran the development camp, said more than once that he didn’t use it to evaluate players but to try to take them out of their comfort zone, forcing them to add new skills.

Even on something as simple as keeping eyes up while skating, though, Schaefer stood out. 

“Already, he does it,” Thompson said. “So you can tell that he has that offensive club in his bag.” 

The one thing Schaefer needs to do between now and September, he says, is add more muscle to his 17-year-old frame.

Though Schaefer said he doesn’t have a specific goal as far as adding pounds, he’s on a meal plan that should help. 

“It’s how I feel with a lot of strength,” Schaefer said. “If I’m 190 [pounds] but I’m jacked, that’s pretty good. Obviously, I still want to be able to move and be mobile like how I’ve been doing, so we’ll see. Obviously, I want to get back in the gym.”