The plan is to keep wearing it as of the team’s season opener on Oct. 9.
”You don’t just get stuff given to you, right? You’ve got to earn it,” Schaefer told NHL.com at the Rookie Showcase in Washington. ”You’ve got to earn your spot. I mean, (I) still have to earn my spot on the team, and that’s what I’m going into (training) camp to do. Still a lot of hard work.
”It’s going to take time, but I’m ready and I can’t wait to just get into camp. So once we get going, get underway, I’ll be super excited.”
Schaefer, the defenceman selected No. 1 in June’s draft, was among 31 rookies taking part in the event at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, where the NHL team practises.
Among the freshman’s duties was posing for his first headshot for the EA Sports NHL video game and Upper Deck trading card.
But the real work will begin when he arrives at Long Island for training camp. Each of the last three top picks has made their team out of training camp, with Buffalo Sabres defenceman Owen Power electing to return to college in 2022.
Schaefer, who hasn’t played since breaking his collarbone on Dec. 27, spent the summer with an off-season training group that included Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan and Toronto Maple Leafs centre Scott Laughton.
”They have that work ethic where you want to learn from them,” Schaefer said. ”And going up against them, it makes me a lot better player when you’re going on a 2-on-1 vs. them, and they’re trying to score on you and you’re trying to stop them. I think just on and off the ice, bettering my game, and having that compete vs. those guys. They’re making moves on me, I can better my game by stopping them, and they always want to beat me. So, it’s very competitive, but it’s awesome.”
Schaefer celebrates his 18th birthday on Friday, making him the youngest player at the Showcase. The oldest? Teammate Marc Gatcomb, who turned 26 in July.
Gatcomb, who debuted with 39 games last season, said the entire Islanders organization is excited to welcome Schaefer to the fold.
”The first overall pick is a huge thing, and to get a guy with that talent and that calibre, and his personality, I think we’re all very happy to have him, and super excited,” he said.
”He’s a very genuine, humble kid. Couldn’t be nicer. He’s super happy, and he’s always got a smile on his face no matter what. From what I’ve gathered so far, he just seems like a very, very good kid.”
Soon enough, that kid could be lining up on an NHL blue line.
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