Islanders' Matthew Schaefer's grandma makes this a special NHL night for phenom

The whole hockey world has gotten the chance to see how special Matthew Schaefer is on the ice as an NHL rookie for the New York Islanders.

On Tuesday night, though, he'll have a special set of eyes watching: his grandmother, Marianne.

Schaefer told reporters it's the first time Marianne will see him play in the NHL, and potentially her first NHL game, period.

"This actually could be her first NHL game ever, and it'll be her first time watching me in the NHL," Schaefer said.

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Schaefer, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, and his Islanders are playing at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Essentially, a trip back home for Schaefer.

He said earlier in the week he may have as many as 1,000 people in the stands who are there in part to support him.

They'll be supporting one of the best rookie defensemen in the history of the NHL.

Schaefer has scored 20 goals and dished out 28 assists this season in 67 games.

He has also blocked 94 shots and averaged 24:21 in ice time. He's getting it done in all facets.

This is what the Islanders hoped for when they picked him No. 1 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, and frankly, he has probably exceeded expectations.

Maple Leafs veteran John Tavares said in advance of the game that Schaefer could be a "generational" player.

On Tuesday, grandma Marianne will get the chance to see that for herself.

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