Ed Westfall knows what Islanders' Matthew Schaefer faces in transition to NHL
Owen Besendorfer, 8, of Holtsville gets an autograph from the Islanders' Matthew Schaefer during a practice Ed Westfall Arena at at Peconic Ice Rinks on Sunday. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Ed Westfall watched as the Islanders, trying to strengthen their ties to their Suffolk County fan base, practiced on Sunday at the facility named for him at Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton, concluding their weekend team-bonding trip to eastern Long Island.
The team’s first captain and former broadcaster still is very much an interested observer. So yes, he’s heard all about No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer’s skills and maturity at age 18 and knows all about the difficult transition to the NHL for a defenseman. He saw it firsthand as a teammate of two Hall of Famers: Bobby Orr with the Bruins in 1966 and Denis Potvin with the Islanders in 1973.
“Denis was two years older and much more mature physically and emotionally,” Westfall said, standing in front of a sign denoting Ed Westfall Arena, a rink inside an inflated bubble that opened in 2023. “That’s a big difference. When you’re 18, you’re not physically developed, you’re not emotionally developed. It’s a big step for a young fellow.”
Westfall noted the strong support system around Potvin, including acquiring his brother Jean to be a teammate. To this day, Potvin calls Westfall “Captain Eddie.”
“I watched an 18-year-old defenseman come into the NHL with Bobby Orr,” Westfall said. “He was probably 5-foot-9 or 10 and weighed like 160 pounds. In two years, he was 6 foot tall and weighed 205. And we didn’t work out like these guys. It can happen [making the NHL at that age]. But it’s very unusual.”
Still, Schaefer’s spot on the Islanders’ opening-night roster — which must be submitted to the NHL by Monday’s deadline — for Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh is secure. He’ll be paired with Scott Mayfield.
Schaefer was a sought-after autograph after the practice as the Islanders interacted with members of the Peconic Wildcats and their families, including posing on the ice for a group team photo with the youth squad. Coach Patrick Roy was presented a birthday cake as he turned 60 on Sunday.
“It’s not every day that NHL players play at your rink out east,” said Tara O’Rourke of Port Jefferson Station. “But it’s very exciting for my son Patrick, who’s the 12U Wildcat goalie, because his team plays right [after practice]. So he’s going to play in the same net that NHL goalies played in.”
And Patrick O’Rourke did not hesitate when asked to name his favorite player.
“Ilya Sorokin, definitely,” he said. “Because, you know, fellow goalie. Goalies have a bond that they share.”
Riverhead town councilman Ken Rothwell, presented an Islanders jersey along with Westfall by current captain Anders Lee before practice, called it “an incredible day.”
“By them attending here today, it validates all of our efforts,” Rothwell said. “[Islanders co-owner] Jon Ledecky has assisted us not just financially but so supportive in attending all of our fundraisers and bringing players out here throughout the summer months. They’ve done clinics.
“Suffolk has always been united behind the Islanders, and it was just the distance to travel. Now, with this rink, this is the furthest year-round ice rink on the East End of Long Island, so ice hockey has just slowly worked its way out east, which has been sorely needed.”
Lee said he saw the appreciation in the eyes of the youth players when they came onto the ice for the group photo.
“They live in this area, so they’re not as close to be able to come to UBS Arena that often and not a ton of rinks around,” Lee said. “These kids love the game and they’re fans of ours. For us to come out and skate on their ice for once is pretty special.”
Notes & quotes: Center Calum Ritchie and defenseman Isaiah George, two rookies not expected to be on the initial roster, participated in the team bonding weekend and Sunday’s practice. “It’s good for them to be with the club,” Roy said. “Have a taste of what it is.” . . . Forward Jonathan Drouin participated in practice after missing three sessions because of illness.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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