Roy appreciates Schaefer’s willingness to improve.
“He’s a quality person. He just wants to learn,” Roy said. “I was very impressed with him today. It was nice for him to be with Mayfield. I think Mayfield will [play] a big brother kind of role for him and will help him out.”
Defenseman Ryan Pulock could see why Schaefer was taken No. 1.
“His skating, puck-handling, and shooting are very elite,” Pulock said. “Now it’s just for him to get comfortable. He didn’t play a lot last year. It’s a little different beast coming to the NHL. I think this camp is going to be great for him to get a feel, get some exhibition games under his belt, but first impressions were [he’s] going to be a special player one day.”
Schaefer’s goal, like everyone on the ice, is to win an NHL job. Islanders captain Anders Lee believes he’ll do that by staying true to himself and his game every day.
“I think he showcased exactly who he is,” Lee said. “He just skates so well. He’s a smart player, and the skills are there. I think what’s going to take him, and especially earlier in his career here, is that he has such a good head on his shoulders and is a very mature kid for just turning 18.
“He’s saying all the right things, doing all the right things. … Being the first overall pick and being the future of this organization, we will help him in any way we can. But he’s also a kid who seems to be handling [the pressure] extremely well so far, so no surprises for him today. I watched him a little bit in the rookie camp and before, and it’s pretty evident right away how great of a hockey player he is, and I think he showcased that today.”
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