Manitoba Moose

Cory Schneider is bound and determined to keep moving in the right direction.

The second-year Manitoba Moose goaltender did an excellent job of putting a miserable start behind him as a rookie and now he can't wait to get the new American Hockey League season underway.

"From where I progressed last year, I'm looking to make the same jump this year," said Schneider, who was on the MTS Centre ice yesterday for the first time since a heart-breaking series defeat to the Syracuse Crunch in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

"Just having the confidence in my ability from Day 1 is going to help me during the course of the year. I want to bring the second half of last year into the start of this year.

"I want to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and that the trend is going upward and things are coming together."

Playing in a tightly-contested series and coming out on the losing end gave Schneider, who was brilliant throughout the series, plenty to think about during the off-season in Boston.

"I enjoyed it and it was fun playing at that level and that intensity," said Schneider, who finished his rookie season with a 20-12-2 record, three shutouts, a 2.28 goals against average and .913 save percentage in 36 appearances. "It was good but it wasn't good enough obviously. Anyone can lose 2-1, the difference this year will be to win those games and to win in overtime and be the stronger guy mentally.

"With the team we could have here, we have high expectations, we look to be back in the playoffs this year and we're looking for better results."

Schneider spent the summer working hard in the weight room to get "leaner" and to cut down his body fat.
Although he knew it was highly unlikely he was going to unseat Curtis Sanford as Roberto Luongo's backup, Schneider had a tremendous training camp and made a great impression on incoming general manager Mike Gillis.

"It wasn't like I had nothing to lose but I just went out there and showed them what I can do," said Schneider. "I wanted to prove to them that I'm ready to take that next step. I wasn't expecting it to happen in half a year. Another year here is probably good for me. I want to keep the team in games or steal games. I put the pressure on myself. Last year I was more laid back and thought, whatever happens, happens. This year there is more responsibility on my shoulders and I'm willing to take on that role."

Moose head coach Scott Arniel saw a much more confident Schneider during Canucks' camp this fall.

"He came in and had more poise to him," said Arniel. "He's a good professional and he's trying to show people that he's turned the corner and can play well all season long this year."