Snyder finds his groove
A change of scenery has done Logan Snyder a world of good.
The 17-year-old Simcoe native began the season with the Niagara Falls Canucks of the Ontario Junior Hockey League but found it tough to get into a groove without regular playing time.
But since joining the Pelham Panthers Snyder has found his game again, displaying the potential that made him a draft choice (12th round, 229 overall) of the Hamilton (now Brantford) Bulldogs in 2023.
“Actually, it was a little bit easier coming down since I knew last year going into my 16-year-old year if I played junior A I can either be a backup in the OJ or come down and be a starter in junior B, so it kind of worked out in the end anyways,” Snyder said. “I didn’t want to spend time battling it (playing time) when I could be playing games somewhere else.”
Snyder is enjoying the atmosphere in Pelham despite the team’s early struggles.
“I didn’t really know what I was coming to, but it’s a really good organization,” he said “I’ve liked it here a lot and they’ve been really welcoming so it’s been a really good time.”
Snyder has been in goal for both of Pelham’s wins this season — including a 3-2 victory over the St. Catharines Falcons last week that saw him kick out 50 shots — and has ensconced himself as the starting netminder.
“It’s all about the first two years you just want to play. You worry about winning teams when you’re older, but when you’re young you just want to develop and play,” he said.
Snyder is enjoying the increased playing time, even if it means getting bombarded with shots every now and then.
“We get a lot of shots, but I got a lot of shots on my last team, so I’m kind of used to it by now. I don’t like just standing around. You see guys getting a shutout, you go look at it and it’s 18 shots. I kind of like getting more —40, 50 shots. It keeps me engaged in the game. I’m not just sitting in my net doing nothing all game.”
Snyder, who still has aspirations of playing in the Ontario Hockey League, said he’s learned patience is the key to his game.
“You’re letting the game come to you since you’re not going to beat a pass, really,” he said. “It’s all about reads and just knowing what hand shooters are, being able to read all that.”
Panthers general manager Emelie Ficht said Snyder has been exactly what the Panthers needed.
“We heard he was available and we he knew his past. We were just very interested and we needed to make a change,” she said. “He’s awesome, awesome on the ice and awesome with the guys.”
Snyder is taking courses at Simcoe Composite School and plans to switch to on-line learning next semester to cut down on the daily travel.
The Panthers, 2-7-3, are in St. Catharines Friday and home to Caledon Sunday at 2:45 p.m.
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