Cory Schneider is headed overseas
Maybe it was only a matter of time, or maybe this is a sign that the lockout is here to stay, but the Canucks goalie and baker of fresh and exotic breads (maybe, I’ll have to fact check that after this is posted) is headed over to Switzerland to sharpen his skills.
Cory Schneider is in Switzerland and “ready to go” according to his agent Mike Liut.
Early on in the lockout Schneider wasn’t sure about playing overseas and getting used to the larger ice surface, but with no end for the lockout in sight, it was time to make a decision and it appears that with his Swiss passport in check, Schneider is ready to play some hockey.
According to News 1130 Sports, Schneider will play for Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss-A league.
https://twitter.com/News1130Sports/status/273819105092575233
He will share goaltending duties with Nolan Schaefer, former draft pick of the San Jose Sharks and brother of former Canuck Peter Schaefer.
Schneider has been quite vocal about the PA’s position during the lockout, saying that the league hasn’t been willing to negotiate and suggesting that the league has been strong-arming the PA throughout the process.
“It’s their lockout and they know exactly what they want and what they need. For us to guess, it’s tough.
Schneider has been quite vocal about the PA’s position (Photo – Mark van Manen/PNG)
Contractual issues seem a little redundant. Do you really need everything on that list? As players, we can’t accept that. If it was one we could live with, we would.
History has shown we’re very reluctant to give them that because they just put it in their back pocket and kind of say, what else you got? And then they squeeze us for more.”
As far as Schneider’s insurance goes, his agent has said that sponsors will cover the cost, so while playing overseas he will make a bit of money. At this point in the lockout and with negotiations, or lack thereof, you can’t fault Schneider (or any player for that matter) who wants to head overseas and play hockey.
Schneider’s contract will expire on December 31st and will continue from month-to-month there after.
It’s clear that any hope of a resolution to this lockout which has entered it’s 74th day is not going to be resolved soon, even with the help of a mediator.
Thanks for reading, hope you didn’t spill coffee all over your lap while you read this like I did writing it.
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