PITTSBURGH -- Matthew Schaefer had that twinkle in his eye while speaking to reporters at his locker stall knowing he was hours away from making his NHL debut for the New York Islanders against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, MSGSN, TVAS).

For the 18-year-old defenseman, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, it's a moment he's prepared for his whole life.

"You dream of playing in the NHL one day and, I mean, the work doesn't stop here," Schaefer said. "It's just getting started."

Schaefer isn't fazed by the fact he'll be the youngest defenseman (18 years, 34 days) chosen No. 1 in the Draft to play an NHL game, the second-youngest No. 1 pick at any position to debut ( Nathan MacKinnon : 18 years, 31 days for the Colorado Avalanche on Oct.

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