Cory Schneider may have not expected to hit the ice when heading into the Stanley Cup finals, but now after game six he has tallied up 65 minutes of play and has faced a fair amount of rubber within the time in goal, holding out 39 shots.
Being in net is known to be one of the toughest positions to play in hockey. A position where it has been evident in how success can fall on a goalies shoulders due to how they perform. Looking for success, goaltenders prepare meticulously day in and day, going through repetition in practice and analyzing video and critiquing tendencies of opponents.
Now, for a backup goaltender this is a whole different story. A goalie is now asked to play a supportive role to the starting goaltender. The bench becomes a separate home to the crease where the number two encourages teammates and discusses everything tactical for the team. Holding their job, several coaches resort to having their backup recording stats and the oppositions motives during games. Ice time in practices has to be fought for at times, and is pressured in to go beyond the sixty minutes of practice time for extra ice.
Looking to this years playoffs a rare occasion was presented to Cory Schneider. Heading into the post-season he was settled in knowing that he was looked upon to play a supporting role to starting goaltender Roberto Luongo. Displaying his ability to adapt when called upon through the Vancouver Canucks playoff run, Schneider has presented his incredible mental focus through being emotionally flexible.
Continually owning and developing his skills with great effort during practice and through off-ice training he has prepared himself for every opportunity to play, even if his chance of playing is minimal. As a backup through the playoffs there has never been an instance where he has stopped caring or working hard, knowing that in doing this he would only set himself up for failure.
Heading to Vancouver for game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, this will be the last deciding game and end to the 2011 cup run. With the series dead locked at 3-3 tie, the President Trophy recipients have received the right to hold the game back home. Holding in his pride, Schnedier has been a strong value to the final chapter as he went 16-4-2 when called upon during the season. Previously in his goaltending career with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL he was known as the teams starting goaltender and was represented as the teams backbone holding the team in numerous games throughout both the season and the playoffs. In 2007 he was named the league's Goaltender of the Year following his second season. Previously before his professional career, he backstopped Boston College to a record setting sixth Lamoriello Trophy in team history as East Champions.
Stepping into his first full season on an NHL roster, Schnedier has resisted the urge to stop caring and be disheartened. Known as a competitor he has always put in a full effort battling to challenge his teammates in practice, setting a standard for the character of he he wants to be known.
Young goaltenders moving forward through their hockey career can learn a lot through past experiences such as contributing to the team unit in a more supportive role. Too often, when a goaltender is placed as a backup through a playoff run they layer and allow frustration and disappointment to set in. Becoming so highly focused on the present will cause a goaltender to eventually give up. Contrary for both Vancouver Canucks goaltenders, both have overcome many challenges to get to where they have climbed to get to today.
Schneider will be noticed for his emotional control and ability to adapt throughout the season and playoffs...no matter how game 7 ends.
Previously training with GDI National Consulting Camps and being under mentorship from NHL Goaltending Consultant Ian Clark, Cory Schnedier displays an impeccable technical foundation. Quickly acquiring read and anticipatory skills over the course of his full NHL season he has started to settle into a promising career. Below is a past video of Schnedier being put through the paces in a repetitive post-save recovery drill.
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