Fresh off making three first-round selections in the NHL draft for only the second time in franchise history, including blue-chip defenseman Matthew Schaefer, taken No. 1 overall, the New York Islanders hosted their rookie development camp June 30-July 3 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
Highlighting the four-day camp was the return of the Blue & White Scrimmage, played for the first time since 2018 before a packed house July 2. Schaefer and fellow 2025 first-rounders winger Victor Eklund (16th) and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson (17th), second-round winger Daniil Prokhorov (42nd), as well as 2024 first-round pick winger Cole Eiserman (20th), second-round picks defenseman Jesse Pulkkinen (54th) and center Kamil Bednarik (61st), 2023 second-round pick center Danny Nelson (49th), and Colorado’s 2023 first-round pick center Calum Ritchie (27th) all had their talents on display and the fans buzzing.
“It’s been an unbelievable camp and the facilities here are incredible,” Aicheson said after the Blue & White Scrimmage. “I just wanted to come here and make an impression on the coaches and be a sponge. It’s been really cool to meet all the guys and see how much the fans support this team.”
The Islanders finished 35-35-12 last season and missed the playoffs. They entered the NHL Draft Lottery May 5 with the 10th pick and a minuscule 3.5 percent chance of jumping to the top before they hit the jackpot.
Enter the 17-year-old Schaefer, widely regarded as the best player available with elite skating and playmaking skills. Ranked at the top on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s North American skaters list, he recorded 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 73 games across two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League and on the international stage won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championships, recording five points in seven games. He becomes the Islanders’ fifth first-overall pick after center John Tavares (2009), goaltender Rick DiPietro (2000), defenseman Denis Potvin (1973) and winger Billy Harris (1972.)
“You dream of this your whole life and it’s a dream come true,” Schaefer said. “Now you’ve got to put your work boots on. Getting drafted is amazing and first overall is amazing and it’s an honor. But I’ve got to put my head down, have fun and work as hard as I can. I want to be on that opening-night roster.”
Hours before selecting Schaefer June 27, new General Manager Mathieu Darche traded a former first-round pick, Noah Dobson, after an impasse in contract negotiations with the restricted free agent defenseman to Montreal for the two additional first rounders used on Eklund and Aitcheson.
The only other year the Isles made at least three first-round picks was in 1999 when they had four.
Eklund’s older brother, William, plays for San Jose. Victor, 18, recorded 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games with Djurgårdens of HockeyAllsvenskan in Sweden last season and was ranked second on the Central Scouting Bureau’s International skaters list.
Aitcheson, 18, is a bruising defender with an impressive offensive skill set that led him to a 59-point regular season (26 goals, 33 assists) with the Barrie Colts of the OHL in 2024-25. He was Schaefer’s gold-medal winning teammate at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championships and played against him in the OHL.
“I’ve gotten to know Matthew pretty well and I’m excited to see what the future holds for him,” Aitcheson said.
It was also the first Islanders camp for Eiserman, 18, who enjoyed a huge season at Boston University and led all NCAA freshmen in goals with 20 while helping lead the Terriers to the national title game.
“The fans are super passionate here and I’m excited to wear this logo,” Eiserman said. “It’s my first time on Long Island and I’m soaking it up and loving it. Obviously the organization does its homework on brining in not only talented players but guys with tremendous character.”
Preseason schedule released
The Islanders will play six preseason games, including three at UBS Arena: Sept. 21 versus Philadelphia, Sept. 26 against New Jersey and Sept. 29 against the Rangers. The NHL plans to announce the 2025-26 regular-season schedule July 16.
