New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer received the NHL’s rookie of the month award for October, announced on Saturday. Schaefer showcased an impressive performance, ranking third among all rookies in points with a total of three goals and five assists in 11 games.
In addition, the league recognized Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel as the first star of the month, followed by Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele as the second star, and Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes as the third star for the season’s initial month.
Hailing from Hamilton, the 18-year-old Schaefer was the Islanders’ top pick in this year’s draft, demonstrating remarkable talent on the ice. Notably, Schaefer achieved a milestone by becoming the youngest player to record a point in his NHL debut on October 9 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, surpassing the previous record holder, Scott Niedermayer.
Furthermore, Schaefer’s outstanding performance continued as he maintained a six-game point streak at the start of the season, scoring two goals and providing five assists within that period. He also secured his first game-winning goal against the San Jose Sharks on October 21, further solidifying his impact on the team.
Meanwhile, Eichel, recently signing an eight-year, US$108-million contract extension with Vegas, led the league in October with eight goals and 11 assists in 11 games, contributing significantly to the Golden Knights’ 6-2-3 start. Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets also made a mark by collecting points in 10 out of his first 11 games, setting a new scoring record for the team. Dobes of the Montreal Canadiens displayed exceptional goaltending skills throughout October, achieving a 6-0-0 record with a 1.97 goals-against average and .930 save percentage, aiding the Canadiens to an 8-3-0 start to the season.
