Zizing ‘Em Up: Schaefer, McKenna to face off Wednesday in Toronto

NHL.com staff writer Mike Zeisberger has been covering the NHL regularly since 1999. Each Tuesday he will use his extensive network of hockey contacts for his weekly notes column, “Zizing 'Em Up.”

TORONTO -- Gavin McKenna versus Matthew Schaefer.

The past two No. 1 picks in the NHL Draft.

Former teammates with Canadian national teams.

Good pals.

Until Wednesday, that is. 

That’s when Schaefer and his New York Islanders open their 2026-27 regular season against McKenna and his Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena (7:30 p.m. ET; Prime, MSGSN). 

Kudos to the NHL schedule makers for putting together a scriptwriter’s dream by giving the hockey world an early-season glimpse at two skilled teenagers who stand to play a big part in the future of the sport, if not making significant contributions already. In McKenna’s case, his showdown with Schaefer will come just one day after his NHL regular-season debut, a home date against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN).

In order to tee up their matchup — and for that matter the season ahead — NHL.com reached out to each about their friendship, their futures and how McKenna will cope in the spotlight of hockey-mad Toronto.

First off, how excited are you for this clash of the past two No. 1 picks?

McKenna: “It'll be cool. I watched him a lot last year and he lit it up. So, well, I think whenever someone does something like that, it kind of surprises you. I knew he was going to do awesome but, well, to do that awesome is, you know, I don't think that's something you just expect, especially from a D-man. So yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I've got to play against him a few times. I’ve played with him more than against. But yeah, I'm excited to see what he's got. And, hopefully, we can get the “W” in that one.”

Schaefer: “Obviously playing in Toronto is fun, being from down the road in Stoney Creek. It’s a short drive for family and friends to watch our first game. Obviously Toronto has made a lot of changes (including Gavin). But we’re not really worried about them. We’re more concerned about ourselves.”

How did your friendship evolve to where it is today? To that end, how did you first meet?

Schaefer: “He’s an amazing guy. Got to know him a lot while playing for Team Canada and stuff like that. Great player. Great person. We hit it off right away. He’s a great teammate too.”

McKenna: “I think it was probably U17s when we were both playing for Team Canada. He was on Team White and I was on Team Red. And, yeah, he was the captain. He'd gone first overall, and I'd seen him play before at the Canada Winter Games, but I'd never got to actually play against him or with him. And I watched him score the overtime winning goal for the gold medal there. So he's always been an excellent player and one of the best guys I know. He's always bringing the good energy and I think that translates to on the ice.”

On the subject of you both being teammates: What do you remember about combining to score Team Canada’s first goal of the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa, a game you went on to win 4-0 against Finland? It was one of the limited highlights in the tourney for Matthew, who broke his collarbone against Latvia not long afterward.

Schaefer: “The first goal at World Juniors was pretty awesome. Obviously he was in a great spot for me. Just passed it back door. And then he finished it. Obviously the crowd went nuts and we went nuts too. It’s fun to work with great players with great hockey IQ.”

McKenna: “I remember that goal pretty clearly. He seamed it through to me, and then I tried to stuff it five-hole. I couldn't get it in there, and then ended up pulling it around the goalie and shelfing it. And yeah, I remember him skating across the ice when I was celebrating, and then jumping into me, my first ever World Junior game. So to score on that, it was pretty amazing. And yeah, for him to get hurt, it's almost like my luck ran out once he was out. That hurt our team pretty bad. He was the first overall pick that year, and one hell of a player. So to lose a guy like that, it hurt us bad. But you know, any time you get to go to a tournament like that, it's awesome. And representing your country, it means the world. So it was awesome.”

When Gavin was selected No. 1 by the Maple Leafs in Buffalo in June, there was a lot of pomp and pageantry at KeyBank Center, including having global pop star and avid Maple Leafs fan Justin Bieber announce the pick. One of the first people to greet Gavin when he walked off the stage was Matthew, who had traded his hockey gear for a suit and microphone and immediately interviewed the newest Toronto player. What was that moment like for both of you?

Schaefer: “Obviously interviewing him at the draft was pretty cool. Someone I know. Very easy to talk to someone like that. (Laughs). Had a bit of fun with it.”

McKenna: “It was funny seeing him there. I didn't know that he was going to be there. Yeah, he looked good. He did a good job, and he's obviously got that personality where he can kind of make fun out of anything. You have a lot of nerves hearing your name called up there, and then, you know, getting to see him kind of lightens the mood a bit and chills your nerves a bit. So it was good. I had a lot of fun with it.”

Gavin, when you look at Matthew, what does it say about his character that he’s always upbeat and smiling despite some of the hardships he’s gone through in his life? Specifically, the loss of his mother Jennifer in February 2024 after a courageous battle with breast cancer?

McKenna: “You'd never think that he's a guy who's gone through all that stuff with the way he acts. Whenever you're in a locker room with him, he's always the loudest guy, the most upbeat guy, and just someone you want to be around. So, obviously, such a good character for being able to push through all of that stuff and get to where he's at today. I can't imagine going through that at such a young age. So for him to be the way he is is pretty special.”

Finally, Matthew, you grew up in southern Ontario and know how crazy the region is when it comes to hockey. How do you think Gavin will handle being under the microscope in Toronto? Any advice?

Schaefer: “I think he’ll do fine in Toronto. He’s felt pressure before. We’ve all had pressure our whole life. Just got to play the game, be yourself, and have fun with it.”

BEING NO. 1

Schaefer isn’t the only previous No. 1 pick who understands the pressures of coming into the NHL with such high expectations. As such, NHL.com surveyed a number of former No. 1’s about dealing with outside expectations and how they feel McKenna will handle them in the spotlight of Toronto.

Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks (2024)
“The attention makes it a blessing and a curse. When you’re doing well, they’re going to treat you like royalty. But also, every little mistake will be focused in on more and more. I trained with him this summer and got to know him a bit and don’t think it’ll affect him that much. And he’s got a lot of guys there to help him through it.”

Juraj Slafkovsky, Montreal Canadiens (2022)
“The pressure of being picked into a hotbed hockey market? I don’t know. For me, I didn’t really feel it because I couldn’t understand (French) and what half the people were saying or writing about me. (Laughs). So I didn’t know if it was anything bad.”

Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres (2021)
“I think for him, he's obviously got the skill and the talent and the ability. So just go out there and, you know, really just have fun with it. I mean, he's playing in one of the best places to play hockey, and I think he'll be just fine.”

Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils (2019)
"I think of all the places he could have gone, Toronto's got to be one of the better spots. He's got (Auston Matthews) to lean on. I don't think anyone understands where he is right now more than 'AMats' just because he was that guy. He's been the first overall pick. He was the guy that had to take them out of the gutter. He was the guy that went through all those playoff series. That will be someone he can really lean on. Of course the microscope is pretty big in Toronto but there's a reason he was the first overall pick. He's a kid that can handle it.” 

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (2016)
“We’re obviously so excited to have him. He’s a special player. He’s a special person. It’s awesome to get to spend some time with him (and) get to know him. He’s going to be an incredible player in this league. And he’s going to do a lot of great things for this team, this organization.”

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (2015)
“He'll have his hands full in Toronto, but he seems like he's prepared for it. He’ll have a good support system there too, obviously with Auston (Matthews), and he'll have lots of support around him, so he should be fine.”

John Tavares, New York Islanders (2009)
“From one game to the next, you see a massive improvement, and just how quickly can you get comfortable.  The hockey IQ, the puck play, playmaking is exceptional. So that’ll only continue to get better and better, and each checkpoint for him.”

Mats Sundin, Quebec Nordiques (1989)
“It's a veteran team that he’s coming into. Sometimes a No. 1 pick comes in and they’re joining a team that’s in a complete rebuild, a much younger team. So he’s going to be able to soak lessons in from some really, really true professionals and great players. So that's going to be great for him.”

Wendel Clark, Toronto Maple Leafs (1985)
“That first year, or at least the time when you’re 18 to 19 or 20, you’re doing a lot of growing, not just as a hockey person but a person in general. So we’re not expecting McKenna to come out and (dominate). I mean, if he does, awesome. But really, just come and grow and be part of the team and become a better hockey player and better person.”

THE CALDER FILES

Being selected No. 1 in the NHL Draft does not subsequently equate to winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. Far from it. In fact, it’s happened only seven times in the past 20 years. Here’s the list of those who have been able to do it in that span.

2026: Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders
2024: Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
2017: Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
2015: Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
2014: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
2008: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
2006: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals*

* Ovechkin was the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft but the subsequent lockout of 2004-05 made him eligible for the 2005-06 Calder.

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

"Year after year you see guys do it and it becomes normal — and it shouldn't be. Before, you might have a guy who's young but because of the roster he doesn't fit and he's not given the same opportunity. I think teams are more willing to give those guys a look and give them responsibility early. There’s nothing too big for them.”

— Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, on how quickly rookies are making an impact for their respective teams in the modern game

THE LAST WORD

One of the most admirable aspects of Schaefer’s meteoric rise to stardom is how he’s stayed grounded, a difficult thing to do when fame comes to you as a teenager.

That was proven once again last month when Matthew, his brother Johnny and dad Todd played hosts at a banquet hall in his home town of Stoney Creek, Ontario for people he grew up with and were there for him during his journey.

It was Matthew’s way of saying thank you.

“We had a little gathering to get people together that you once got to see almost every day,” Schaefer said. “Today you’re super busy. So it’s (meaningful) to have a night where you can get together with friends and people who have helped me and my family so much in a gathering and celebrate everything they’ve done.”

One of those in attendance was Jim Nyhuus, who coached Schaefer when he was a 15-year-old playing for the Halton Hurricanes of the South Central Triple A U16 league in 2022-23. More importantly, Nyhuus was part of Matthew’s inner-circle support group during the time when his mom was dying.

“There were not a lot of hockey people there,” Nyhuus said. “It was more pals who he grew up with as a kid, family, teachers, people like that. People from his roots. People that he trusted. People that he felt comfortable and safe being around.”

People that Matthew will never forget. And hasn’t.

— NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report