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Schaefer Ties Leetch's NHL Record for Goals by a Rookie Defenseman · Apr. 9, 2026
Threading a shot through the legs of Artur Akhtyamov off a feed from Tony DeAngelo at 9:39 of the second period, Schaefer scored his 23rd goal of the season to match Hall of Famer Brian Leetch's 1988–89 mark — the most goals ever scored by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. The goal gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish, and Schaefer — already a Calder Trophy front-runner at just 18 — now stands one goal shy of claiming the record outright.