Lou Lamoriello’s expectation was that Cory Schneider would end up playing in Europe this season after his contract with the Islanders ended.
The goaltender did field some interest from teams in Switzerland, where he holds dual citizenship, but decided against making a trans-Atlantic move with his family.
Instead, Schneider, 37, called it a career and moved onto a new endeavor: broadcasting.
“I pushed [hockey] as far as I could,” Schneider said. “I think the last two years were great for me just to play the game, even in the American League level. Getting some call-ups with the Isles and getting that one game two years ago was a great experience. I obviously would’ve loved to have had a few more opportunities, but that’s not how it worked out, and that’s OK. It happens, and I understood that coming in.
“But I proved that I could still play at a good level, and I think that’s what I was looking for prior to that. So from a hockey standpoint, it was time. I wasn’t ready to continue chasing it just to satisfy my own needs or desires. It was time to let the kids play and be at home with my kids more and my family.”
Schneider debuted on MSG Networks’ Islanders pregame show ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets and will continue to make appearances there this season.
He’s also appeared on NHL Network as an analyst.
It’s the same path trod last season by Thomas Hickey, who was Schneider’s teammate in AHL Bridgeport in 2021-22.
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Schneider is still new to TV, but his media-friendly reputation as a player should make him adept at the role.
“I know what I don’t know, I guess is the right way to put it,” he said. “So I’m trying to ask a lot of questions and soak things up. People like [MSG’s] Shannon [Hogan] and Hicks, who I spend a lot of time with watching him on TV and how easy he makes it look, I know it’s not that easy as he’s made it look. But Butch [Goring] and Brendan [Burke], I’ve listened to a lot of their calls over the years watching Isles games to sort of keep tabs on this team. So I think the good thing is, I’ll be with a lot of good people who know what they’re doing and they’re gonna help me through this and they already have.”
His stint with the Islanders’ organization was relatively short, but because he spent the last three seasons there, Schneider says he knows the team better than the rest of the league.
An April 2022 win at Prudential Center was the only start Schneider made for the Islanders after being signed in 2020, but he was called up a handful of times when Semyon Varlamov or Ilya Sorokin were banged up.
Schneider, a one-time All-Star with the Devils, dealt with hip and groin issues that led to the end of his time in New Jersey.
Asked whether he might be interested in a management or coaching role at some point, he left the door open in the future.
For now, though, he’s worried about mastering his new role in front of the camera.
“It’s something I’ve put a lot of thought into,” Schneider said. “I think for now, I’m very blessed to be fortunate enough where I don’t need to jump into something right away, which is not something everyone gets to do. I think for this year, I want to stay involved in the game in some capacity, just to make sure I’m on top of it, I know what’s going on in the league and I know what’s happening.
“But I think I don’t want to jump into a schedule that is gonna mimic what I did for the last 16 years. This is a great opportunity to stay busy without being too busy. I’m just really excited to be with MSG and be given this opportunity to call some Isles games and talk some Islanders hockey.”