Very few times do fans see a former rivalry player play for their team, especially a player that has a notable presence in the clubhouse. For the New York Islanders it has been a former Devil who has sported the orange and blue uniform this season. His name is Cory Schneider.
NEW YORK BOUND
Schneider spent a total of seven seasons with the New Jersey Devils between 2013-2019/20. In that seven-year, 311 game span he would end up becoming one of the best goalies in Devils’ franchise history.
On January 14th, 2021, it was announced that the New York Islanders signed Schneider via a one-year/$700k contract, he was later re-signed by the Islanders organization in September of the same year.
Schneider has appeared in 64 games between 2021-2023 for New York’s AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. In that 64 game span Schneider has sported a .914sv% (1,904/2,083), with a 32-22-7 record along with two of those wins being in shutout style.
Last season Schneider got the call back up to the NHL, he was facing his former team: the New Jersey Devils. In his one and only start for New York last season he posted a .900sv% (27/30) in the 4-3 winning effort.
GOALIE SITUATION(S)
Being a goalie is one of the hardest positions to play in hockey. First of all, if you want to make it as a consistent goalie in the NHL you need to be one of the top two goalies on the team. NHL team(s) only carry two per game, a starter and back-up. Being a second-string goalie is one of the most interesting roles in sports as you almost never know exactly when your next start will come. Usually second-string goalies have a start once every three-to-five games, but it depends how the set starter is playing and how the season itself is going overall.
Currently the New York Islanders have Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov as their active one-two punch. Both players have a save percentage above .910%, and multiple shutouts. New York is 41-30-9 with 91 points, sitting fourth in the Metropolitan Division.
With Schneider set to become a UFA for 2023/24 his future is uncertain, nevertheless the 37-year-old has made a mark in the NHL.
FLASH IN THE PAST
Cory Schneider did wonders with New Jersey, but before he played in Garden State, he was on the northern side of the U.S.- Canadian border.
Schneider was selected 26th overall in the first round of the 2004 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, and elected to play college hockey at Boston. Schneider would later make his NHL debut during the 2008/09 season, going 2-4-1 in eight games. He would call Vancouver home for a total of five seasons.
The Massachusetts native had quite a resume in Canada for the Canucks franchise goaltender history: 9th all-time wins (55), 1st all-time SV% *(.927), 1st all-time GAA *(2.20), 5th all-time QS (58).
-* represents that two or more players are in front of Cory, but appeared in less than 10 career games.
Schneider would be traded to the New Jersey Devils on June 30th, 2013, and quickly became one of the best goalies on the red team.
The starter would lead New Jersey to multiple playoff contending seasons and would get the call in the 2017/18 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He appeared in four games vs the Lightning, posting a 1-2 record despite a .950sv% and a 1.78 GAA. New Jersey would fall in five games to Tampa Bay.
Schneider’s career in New Jersey marked him as an icon, he would end up being one of the best goalies in Devils’ franchise history. Sadly though a torn cartilage injury was the downfall of his 2018-19 season, along with in-game struggles. He would be placed on waivers and later assigned to the AHL in November of 2019.
New Jersey would then buy-out the remaining two years of Schneider’s contract in October of 2021, the seasoned hockey vet then found himself with New York.
Cory Schneider became a household name in the East Coast hockey community. With New Jersey he would rank: 2nd all-time games played and started (311/302), 3rd all-time wins (115), 1st all-time SV% *(.915%), 6th all-time GAA *(2.50), 2nd all-time for shutouts (17) and 2nd all-time for QS (165).
-* represents that two or more players are in front of Cory, but appeared in less than 10 career games.
PRESENT DAY HOCKEY
Cory Schneider is a one-of-a-kind player and as of now he calls the Bridgeport Islanders his home.
With just three games left of the AHL season and the Islanders sitting outside of the playoff picture, it is projected that Schneider will start the final game of the season vs the Providence Bruins. Schneider has posted a .911sv% this season through 32 games, going 18-11-3 with a 3.00 GAA and a lone shutout.
The first 16 games of the season featured a .918sv% (471/512) with a 2.56 GAA and a record of 11-3-2. Second half of the season hockey has been something a little different as a record of 7-8-1 stands for the last 16 played along with a .903sv% (486/538) and a 3.25 GAA.
It is notable to add that Schneider’s shutout came within the previous 16 games, a 40 save effort against Rochester.
The lefty has dealt with struggles in the second half of the season, but he still put up numbers that would make him a solid second option on any active roster in the NHL. Undoubtedly Schneider has what it takes to still play at the NHL level, it will be interesting to see what is in store for the goaltender in 2023/24.
HOW SCHNEIDER HAS AND STILL IS MAKING AN IMPACT ON EAST COAST HOCKEY
Finishing up this article I would like you, the reader, to think about a player who has played for multiple franchises and was able to make a big impact on both. The list is small, only a few names are on it.
Now narrow it down to just goalies and the list gets even smaller. You have the likes of Dominik Hasek and Ben Bishop as the top two probably, now add Cory Schneider to that mix.
If you rule out the number of championships and just factor the raw regular season talent/production then Schneider is definitely on that list.
On the NHL all-time goaltender career stat sheet, the former Jennings Award winner ranks: 12th all-time in SV% (.918) and 23rd all-time in GAA (2.43).
When it comes to shaping East Coast hockey, the Massachusetts native is the best goalie from his state. He is second in wins and games played along with leading the SV% and GAA categories.
As mentioned before Schneider attended Boston College. He would lead the Eagles to two Lamoirello Trophies in a three year span and got Boston into the NCAA DI Hockey Finals twice. He left Boston with a 65-25-7 record with 15 shutouts.
What he did while playing for New Jersey alone has made him one of the best East Coast goalies and now he is a part of the Mecca of sports, playing for a New York based team.
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