Islanders' Matthew Schaefer makes hockey history with all-time NHL record

Matthew Schaefer has been worth every bit of that No. 1 overall pick the New York Islanders used to add the young defenseman to their organization.

Already, he stands alone in the NHL history books with a new record.

On Thursday night, Schaefer cycled around the back of the net to the other side, spun back away from a defender, looked for a pass, didn't see one and so fired a wrist shot toward goal against the Montreal Canadiens.

When it went in and lit the red lamp, it set an all-time NHL record.

Schaefer has now scored 18 goals. It's the most goals ever scored in the NHL by an 18-year old defenseman.

It took him just 59 games to reach the mark, too.

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Sometimes, there's something just a little underwhelming about picking a defenseman with the first overall pick. Will they really live up to that billing if they can't always take over games with goals?

Well, as far as defensemen go, Schaefer is on a different level. He appears ready to be a superstar in every facet of the game.

He's got a record to prove how quickly he has grown into the NHL. Now it's up to Schaefer to keep taking things to another level.

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