Matthew Schaefer and Ivan Demidov: The Next Faces of Warrior Hockey

Heading into the 2025–26 NHL season, there was no shortage of intrigue surrounding two of the league’s most exciting young talents in Matthew Schaefer and Ivan Demidov.

Both entered their rookie campaigns with massive expectations, not only because of their skill and potential, but also because of what they represented for the future of the game. Before the new season began, another major announcement added to the buzz. Over the summer, Warrior Hockey officially named Schaefer and Demidov as ambassadors for the brand, signaling that both players would be using predominantly Warrior equipment for the foreseeable future.

At the time, it was viewed as a huge win for Warrior. Locking up the New York Islanders’ 2025 first overall pick and the Montreal Canadiens’ electrifying Russian forward sent a clear message to the equipment world. Warrior was not just focused on established veterans anymore.

They were investing heavily in the future. Both Schaefer and Demidov were players expected to live in the spotlight for years to come, making the long-term potential of the partnership enormous.

Fast forward to the midway point of the season, and it is safe to say that both players have more than delivered. Schaefer and Demidov have quickly become centerpieces of their respective teams, and the idea of a Calder Trophy race between the two is no longer hypothetical.

It is very real. In fact, you could argue that the battle for rookie of the year is already well underway, and it is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining storylines of the season.

For Warrior, that kind of exposure is priceless.

One of the big questions coming out of the summer was how quickly Warrior would lean into these two young phenoms from a marketing and promotional standpoint. The company has a deep roster of veteran NHL players who have represented the brand for years.

It would make sense that those established names are the ones tasked with debuting new equipment and leading major product launches. With Schaefer and Demidov still being rookies, there was some curiosity around whether Warrior would ease them into that role or let their play do the talking first.

That question has already been answered, and the verdict is clear. Warrior has chosen not to wait.

The company’s upcoming Covert QR7 Pro hockey stick, expected to be released sometime in 2026, has already begun making quiet appearances at the NHL level. This is typically the time of year when equipment brands start leaking new graphics and prototypes through select players, allowing fans and gear enthusiasts to catch their first glimpses of what is coming next.

On New Year’s Day, during a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Ivan Demidov was spotted using a stick with a never-before-seen black and white design. It did not take long for speculation to turn into confirmation.

The stick was indeed the unreleased Warrior Covert QR7 Pro model. Just days later, while the Islanders were on the road in Nashville, Matthew Schaefer appeared with the exact same stick.

That moment said a lot. Warrior’s newest Covert stick was unofficially introduced to the hockey world by two of the youngest stars in the league, and not by long-tenured veterans.

It was a strong signal of how highly both players are regarded, not only by the brand, but by the broader hockey community. Their visibility alone was enough to generate buzz and spark conversation among fans and young players around the world.

What makes this even more impressive is how naturally it all fits. Schaefer and Demidov are performing at an elite level while representing the brand. Reinforcing the idea that Warrior’s top-end gear belongs at the highest level of the game.

Looking ahead, it feels safe to assume this will not be the last time these two are at the forefront of a Warrior equipment debut. If anything, this is just the beginning. 

As an update to the offseason discussions about potential and long-term impact, the early returns could not be stronger. 

Halfway through their rookie seasons, Matthew Schaefer and Ivan Demidov are not only living up to expectations on the ice, but also helping shape the future of Warrior Hockey.

Photo Credits: Andy Devlin & Minas Panagiotakis