After much consideration, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider has agreed to play overseas during the NHL lockout.
HC Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss A League announced the signing on its website, now splashed with a Schneider highlights video and action shot.
As a dual citizen of both the United States and Switzerland, the Massachusetts-born Schneider will not be taking a roster spot from one of Ambri’s four imported players, the maximum allowable by the Swiss league.
“If the season’s cancelled, then it’s (considering Europe is) important, because I’m at a point in my career where I can’t really sit around for 18 months and not play any games,” Schneider told reporters last week. “Just as an athlete and as a professional, you want to compete and do your job. If that’s the only available option, then I think you have to take it pretty seriously before (the collective bargaining agreement) gets fixed.”
According to the Ambri-Piotta site, Schneider will practise with team Thursday and could start as early as Saturday versus Kloten.
Ambri-Piotta is struggling this season. With 23 standings points, the club sits in 11th place in the 12-team league. They have given up 92 goals in 25 games, the second-worst mark in the league.
Looks like Schneider will replace Nolan Schaefer as starter. He’s the younger brother of former #Canucks winger Peter Schaefer.
— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) November 28, 2012