Schneider a solid contributor
Justin Schneider showed up at a prospect camp for the Niagara Falls Canucks two years ago and quickly made a name for himself.
Not only did the 19-year-old Waterloo native show himself to be an above-average skater, but he also displayed a willingness to mix it up.
“We could see he could really skate,” Canucks coach Frank Pietrangelo said. “He had long hair at the time and reminded us a lot of Mac Hollowell. He had that same speed.
“He wasn’t a complete player yet, he probably wasn’t ready for junior hockey, but he had the intangibles — competitiveness and aggressiveness. If there was a loose puck, he got that puck.”
Schneider, who attends Niagara College and is studying Community Justice and Services, remembers how intimidating it was attending the camp out of midget in a strange arena and not really knowing anyone.
“I was really nervous but I knew if I played my game, hopefully I could earn a spot on the team.”
Schneider did just that, winning a spot on defence and playing in 46 games as a rookie for the Canucks.
He’s back again this season and has proven to be a reliable, steady rearguard.
“I’ve never really been offensive or had a scoring touch. I’m a stay-at-home D and make sure I stop the pucks from going in our net,” he said. “I enjoy it. The boys respect me for it and as long as I’m helping them out as best as I can, it’s all good.”
Pietrangelo, a former NHL goaltender, certainly appreciates Schneider’s game and approach.
“They’re very rare. In today’s game, it starts in minor hockey how many goals you get, how many points you get. That’s really the focus,” he said. “If you look at a defensive core, the guys who are underrated and the guys who don’t get all the attention, they’re so important.”
Pietrangelo loves Schneider’s consistency.
“He shows up every single night. We know what we’re getting from him. He plays on our PK (penalty kill) and he plays key minutes. He’s on second unit power play and he’s a physical presence.
“Every night the consistency you get from him, no matter how the team does, he brings his part.”
Pietrangelo feels players such a Schneider are key to a successful team.
“You have to have role players. Not everyone is going to be a 50-goal scorer and you’re not going to win with 12, 50-goal scorers,” he said. “You need your checkers, your physical players, your leaders on and off the ice. You need everything. That’s all part of being a successful team and he brings all of those elements.”
Schneider’s selflessness has endeared himself to his teammates.
“When he makes a hit, it changes the tide of the game sometimes,” Pietrangelo said. “(When) he sacrifices his body and blocks shots, all those little things, it’s a lift. The guys get up. It’s just as important as scoring a goal or making a pass to set up an open net.
“Maybe the fans who are at the game don’t appreciate it as much, but the coaches and players and the scouts, realize how important he is.”
The Canucks, who lost 3-1 at home last Friday to Pelham and 5-4 in double overtime in Fort Erie Saturday, still lead the Golden Horseshoe Conference with a 14-2-0-1 record. They host the Thorold Blackhawks Friday and are in Welland Sunday.
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