Schaefer added to Canada's Olympic long list
New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer has been added to Canada's long list for the upcoming Olympics, he confirmed to Newsday's Andrew Gross.
Canada's list includes more than 90 players. Adding Schaefer means he'll undergo Olympic drug-testing protocol and become eligible for Canada's roster if the team wishes to select him, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick in June, has been electric to begin his NHL career. The 18-year-old leads all rookies with 15 points in 20 games and paces all blue-liners with seven goals. Schaefer's averaged more than 22 minutes per game and has been a key factor in New York's 11-7-2 start to the campaign.
Canada's blue line will be tough to crack nevertheless. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar was selected to the team over the summer, and Canada's brain trust is happy with the defensive corps that won the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, Friedman reports.
That group featured Makar, Devon Toews, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore, Thomas Harley, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, and Drew Doughty.
Canada also faces noteworthy decisions on young forwards Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, who are both top five in league scoring this season.
The roster deadline for all Olympic teams is Dec. 31.