EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — Matthew Schaefer is more than just a big part of the New York Islanders’ future after being taken with the first pick in the draft. He’s a good bet to make the team right away as an 18-year-old.

Schaefer opened training camp Thursday paired with veteran defenceman Scott Mayfield and received plenty of on-ice tips from coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. But Roy and the Islanders are treating Schaefer like a rookie at the start of his NHL career, complete with a seat in the auxiliary locker room.

That just perfectly fits his mentality of wanting to earn a spot with the big club.

“Yeah, 100 per cent, I think everyone’s looking to earn that big spot in the locker room with the guys,” Schaefer said with a smile, eager to complement the teammates in his current

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