Cory Schneider returning to the NY Islanders organization; will work at Bridgeport

New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello announced on Monday that G Corey Schneider is returning to the organization this season at Bridgeport (AHL). It is presumed that Schneider will be part of a platoon with 2018 3rd-round draft pick Jakub Skarek during the 2022-23 season though it wasn't specified by Lamoriello during his session with local media.

"Cory will be coming back. He's an outstanding veteran, did a great job and mentors the young players. He'll certainly be in the minors to help the players along. We'll see him in training camp."

- Lou Lamoriello

In 30 games with the Bridgeport Islanders last season, Schneider went 14-11-4 with a 2.71 GAA and 0.921 SV %. His one game at the NHL was a memorable one. On April 3, 2022 Schneider made 27 saves in a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. It was his first NHL start since March 6, 2020.

“I don’t know if Lou (Lamoriello) set it up this way for me to play in this building — who knows? — but when I found out (Saturday) that I was going to be playing, I was just trying to do my routine and not change a whole lot,” Schneider said after the victory last season. “It’s been exciting, a little nerve-racking. It’s kind of like your first game all over again, but once you settle in and you play behind those guys, the game just starts to come to you.”

Bridgeport leaned on the veteran heavily down the stretch of the regular season as they qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs. In their opening round best-of-three series versus Providence, Schneider starred in net stopping 46 of 47 shots as the B-Isles won 2-1 in overtime. Over the two games in the best-of-three series over Providence, Schneider stopped 75 of 77 shots faced for a 0.974SV%.

There had been speculation that the 36-old-year could retire as recently as last week when his name showed up on the roster for the Hockey Hall of Hame Classic scheduled for Sunday, November 13th at Scotiabank Arena. Bridgeport plays in Hersey the previous night and then doesn't take the ice again until November 18th versus Charlotte.