Thanks to a $150,000 donation from their Children’s Foundation, the New York Islanders and Northwell Health will open the Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Center, named after star defenseman Matthew Schaefer’s mother, in October.

Schaefer, the 18-year-old Calder Memorial Trophy finalist — an award given annually to the NHL’s top rookie — is partnering with New York’s largest health system in hopes of helping cancer patients and their families “find moments of joy while going through the most difficult journeys of their lives.”

Schaefer lost his mother to breast cancer in 2024.“My mother was someone I looked up to immensely,” Schaefer said. “I remember sitting by her side while she was battling cancer, and she always had a smile on her face. She was full of joy. By teaming up with Northwell Health, I hope we can bring a little of her joy to others who are fighting cancer and to their families as well.”The center will be located at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in New Hyde Park and will provide dedicated spaces for children while their parents undergo treatment. Schaefer will make visits to the hockey-themed room throughout the year.“The New York Islanders represent a deep-rooted commitment to our fans and neighbors; we operate as a community trust,” Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky said. “The Islanders Children’s Foundation is proud to support this wonderful initiative with Northwell, which bridges Matthew’s incredible personal journey with our organization’s dedication to family and healing. By honoring Jennifer Schaefer’s memory in this way, we are ensuring that no child has to walk through these difficult moments alone, providing them with a place of comfort, play, and support right when they need it most.”CloseGet amNY in your inbox!News, events, culture and more — delivered to you.Thank you for subscribing!Schaefer is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy later this summer after a brilliant rookie campaign in which he tied the NHL record for mostgoalsby a rookie defenseman with 23 to go with 36 assists.For more on Matthew Schaefer and the Islanders, visitAMNY.com

“My mother was someone I looked up to immensely,” Schaefer said. “I remember sitting by her side while she was battling cancer, and she always had a smile on her face. She was full of joy. By teaming up with Northwell Health, I hope we can bring a little of her joy to others who are fighting cancer and to their families as well.”

The center will be located at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in New Hyde Park and will provide dedicated spaces for children while their parents undergo treatment. Schaefer will make visits to the hockey-themed room throughout the year.

“The New York Islanders represent a deep-rooted commitment to our fans and neighbors; we operate as a community trust,” Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky said. “The Islanders Children’s Foundation is proud to support this wonderful initiative with Northwell, which bridges Matthew’s incredible personal journey with our organization’s dedication to family and healing. By honoring Jennifer Schaefer’s memory in this way, we are ensuring that no child has to walk through these difficult moments alone, providing them with a place of comfort, play, and support right when they need it most.”

Schaefer is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy later this summer after a brilliant rookie campaign in which he tied the NHL record for mostgoalsby a rookie defenseman with 23 to go with 36 assists.

For more on Matthew Schaefer and the Islanders, visitAMNY.com

Joe Pantorno has been the executive sports editor of amNewYork since 2020. He covers the New York Mets and is a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). He is also a member of the Pro Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) and has covered the New York Islanders for nearly a decade. His previous stops include Bleacher Report and Metro New York, while his work has been featured in the New York Post, Newsday, and Yahoo! Sports.

Source: LI Press