Schneider Likely Done With Moose Antlers (Mentors)
May. 3, 2010
Cory Schneider has trained with GCG Consultant Brian Daccord.
American Hockey League star is ready to make permanent jump to the big league as Luongo's understudy.
By Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun
Cory Schneider has joined the Vancouver Canucks for the remainder of their playoff run and his experience this spring should prepare him for what's in store next season.
He is going to spend a lot of time sitting and watching Roberto Luongo play.
Schneider almost certainly will be a full-time Canuck next season, when he figures to replace Andrew Raycroft as Luongo's backup.
After three seasons with the Manitoba Moose, Schneider sounded like he'd be pleased to join the Canucks next season and serve as an understudy to Luongo, even though it would mean a significantly decreased workload from what he has become accustomed to in the AHL.
"Absolutely," he said after practising Wednesday with the Canucks. "You have to make that step at some point and a lot of guys do start off as a backup and kind of work their way into a starting role somewhere at some point. But you have to break into the league first before you can think about becoming No. 1, so I think taking that next step to break into the league would be important."
Schneider, Vancouver's first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2004 draft, was recalled Tuesday by the Canucks and was added to the team's playoff roster as its third goalie.
He is not expecting to play, or even dress for any games, but the Canucks kept him busy in practice on Wednesday when Luongo did not work out with the team and instead hit the ice after practice for a private workout with goaltending consultant Ian Clark.
Schneider was the AHL's goaltender of the year in 2008-09 and while his numbers were not as good this past season, that is more a reflection of the Moose team he played on. Manitoba suffered a rash of injuries and leaned heavily on Schneider, who played in 60 regular-season games and six more in the playoffs, where the Moose lost in the first-round to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
"It was frustrating, when we started the year we had a lot of promise, but we lost a ton of man-games to injury," Schneider said. "Then toward the end of the season guys like [Nolan] Baumgartner, [Lawrence] Nycholat, [Michael] Grabner, [Matt] Pettinger were all here [Vancouver] and they were big parts of our team."
Nycholat said Schneider played great all season and stole some wins for the Moose.
"I don't think he did anything but solidify his standing as one of the top one or two goalies in the league," Nycholat said Wednesday. "He had a good year and kept us in a lot of games we probably shouldn't have been in. He's a great goalie and a great prospect."
The Canucks are convinced of that, which is why general manager Mike Gillis steadfastly refused to deal Schneider at the trade deadline this season.
Considering Luongo is here long term, the day will likely come when the Canucks do deal Schneider. But he figures to bring a much better return once he has established his NHL credentials.
Schneider, who becomes a restricted free agent on July 1, said he has not had any discussions with Canuck management about their plans for him, but repeated that he would welcome the opportunity to work as Luongo's backup.
"Just being in the league and experiencing and getting comfortable with the lifestyle and the pace is more important than people realize," Schneider said. "Obviously, to learn from a guy like Lou and watch him play, you couldn't find a better guy in the league to do that [with]. I think it would be a great experience."
Gillis has indicated that is exactly the role he envisions for Schneider next season.
Right now, Schneider will just try to soak up as much of the playoff atmosphere as possible. The Canucks brought him in for just that very reason, but Schneider will likely hit the ice in occasional practices along the way.
"It would be imprudent not to have a third goalie in residence in the event of an injury," said assistant general manager Laurence Gilman. "Having Cory here also enables us to give Roberto the rest he needs or may need."
Schneider is just happy to be along for the ride.
"You watch it [the playoffs] on TV and it looks like a breakneck pace and to watch it live will be a great thing for me," he said. "I'm probably here just as a formality, as a practice guy, but that is fine [if it allows] me to be around these guys in this environment."
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