New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat netted two goals in a thrilling 5-4 shootout win against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, earning him a postgame interview with the TNT panel. During the interview, Paul Bissonnette asked Horvat about Matthew Schaefer, also known as Schaef Daddy, and his impact on the team so far.
Horvat responded with a laugh, “Yeah, Chef Papa was great. I listened to the podcast, and that’s how it sounds. I’m not sure if he’s as stuck-up as I hoped, but he’s been incredible for us. He’s an outstanding kid, an excellent hockey player, and has transformed our team in the best possible way. He’s very dynamic and talented. We’re definitely fortunate to have him.”
Schaefer joined the Spittin Chiclets podcast five months ago and earned the nickname Schaef Daddy. In the Islanders’ shootout win, Schaefer assisted on Horvat’s first goal and second assist of the game, bringing his season total to 22 points with eight goals and 13 assists over 31 games. This tally places him 10th all-time for points in a single season by an 18-year-old defenseman, surpassing Petr Svoboda’s 21 points during the 1984-85 season with Montreal.
As Horvat noted, Schaefer has revolutionized the Islanders’ gameplay, impacting every facet of the team’s performance and accelerating their timeline toward competing for the Stanley Cup.
Fan Take: This breakthrough by Matthew Schaefer is especially exciting for hockey fans because it signals the rise of a new, game-changing talent who can influence the pace and style of modern hockey. With young stars like Schaefer reshaping teams so rapidly, the NHL’s future looks more dynamic and competitive than ever.
