Returning for the Binghamton Senators is Cole Schneider out of Williamsville, NY. Schneider signed after 2 years at the University of Connecticut where he set a UConn DI single-season record with 23 goals and 45 points and broke the record for most points by a sophomore in first two seasons in UConn DI history with 78 for the Huskies. The 6′ 2″ 185 lb former free agent forward is entering his 2nd year of an entry-level 2 year deal with Ottawa. Schneider has the numbers to back him up at the college level and after his first successful season in the pros I expect an even stronger one out of Cole in the 2013-’14 season.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Ulmer
-Ottawa’s got a knack for signing college free agents
The 23-year-old left winger did find it hard to crack Binghamton’s line up to start due to the lockout and the over abundance of seasoned talent on the team. But once the rookie did on a 3rd game in 3 nights schedule for the B-Sens, he had found his groove and made the most of it scoring his first 2 goals of the season in a 6-1 romp over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In 60 games last season Schneider had 17 goals 18 assists for 35 points and a +19. He also played a in 11 games late spring of 2012 recording 2 assists. Afterwards, Coach Luke Richardson found it hard not to keep him in the line up.
Cole has quick hands, he’s strong to the net, and can score in bunches. He reads the ice well and credits his offensive success mostly with line mates Mark Stone or Shane Prince and Stephane Da Costa, while rotating center’s Derek Grant and Pat Cannone playing a part. He also saw the lines of Jack Downing–David Dziurzynski on occasion. Schneider also participated on both the pp, scoring 4 goals as well as the pk units. He’s a streaky scorer having had four 2 goal games and one 4 point night, so when’s he’s got his mojo working, look out. I see him being capable of putting up 50-60 points this year, especially if Da Costa is centering him, as those two really clicked well last season.
-Richardson’s ability to nip it in the bud
Getting through the long schedule and the lumps and bumps that come with a rookie’s first year is all past him now. Schneider has the offensive talent and he’ll continue working hard on his skating and defensive positioning leading into the new season. Coach Richardson will also be there to mentor and teach the young forward. Take the game vs Adirondack Phantoms earlier this year as a good example. Cole had scored the game’s first 2 goals in the 1st and he was pressing for the hat trick, which led to a few turnovers in the 2nd period. Luke addressed him about it in between periods and Cole listened and settled down in the 3rd. He had his chances for the hatty but more importantly didn’t make mistakes with the puck. After the game the media asked Richardson about Schneider’s play. “You don’t have to make extra opportunities for you when it is your night. You don’t need any risks and the puck was coming to him and he did a better job in the 3rd”. Bingo went on to win 5-2 while Cole ending up having 2 goals and an assist.
Schneider was once asked what’s it like playing for Richardson. “It’s been fun. playing for a former NHL’er, it’s been unreal.” He went on to say, “hopefully we will keep winning.”
In the end, besides player development, is what all of us want, to have fun winning.
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#15 Cole Schneider makes it look easy scoring a pp goal against the Albany Devils #31 Jeff Frazee.
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Next up: Forward Shane Prince