Tigers set to face Schneider’s Hitmen for first time this season
By Ryan McCracken on November 10, 2017.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken Nick Schneider’s Western Hockey League career simply wouldn’t be complete without another game against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The 20-year-old goaltender will get that chance tonight when the Tigers enter the Scotiabank Saddledome in the first half of a home-and-home set with the Calgary Hitmen, and Schneider says it’s sure to come with a flood of emotions “It brings back a lot of memories. I was there for a long time so I think it’ll be a couple of fun games and a good challenge,” said Schneider, whose Hitmen take on his former Tigers tonight at 7 p.m. before making the trip to the Canalta Centre for a rematch Saturday night. “I’ve enjoyed my time here so far. I’ve been getting to play lots of games and so far everything has been good.” Schneider played one game against Medicine Hat as a 16-year-old rookie with the Pats in 2013, stopping 39 pucks in a 4-3 shootout loss. The following month he was wearing orange and black with the hope of securing a starting role down the line. While he earned that title to start last season, Schneider lost his starting position with the Tigers after Michael Bullion was traded to the team and surged into the spotlight. A few weeks into the off-season Schneider was shipped to the Hitmen in exchange for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2019 bantam draft, but the trade came with a few added benefits. On top of being the go-to starter, the signed Calgary Flames prospect was given the unique chance to play in his professional club’s building, just a few steps away from their players and staff. “It’s awesome. I love playing here to start with, but I get to see their staff all the time,” said Schneider, who sports a 3.13 goals against average, a .901 save percentage and a 6-7-1-0 record as Calgary’s No. 1 netminder. “It’s just down the hall, so being able to be by them and converse with them on a daily basis is definitely good for me.” Despite being in constant competition with Schneider for Medicine Hat’s starting role last season, Bullion says he and Schneider formed a close bond, and he can’t wait for their first chance to be on the ice together. “From a personal standpoint I really miss the guy so I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him. I’m using one of his sticks right now because I ran out of mine. I call it the Schneider Supreme,” said Bullion. “I know he’s having a pretty good year and I think it’ll definitely be a battle because he’s a talented goalie. We’re going to have to get a lot of traffic and really do our best in order to score.” While Schneider has been a member of the Hitmen since May, he and Tigers captain Mark Rassell still got to share some time as teammates at Flames development in the summer. The two were roommates during their stint with the big league club, and Rassell says the conversation often shifted to this weekend’s matchup. “We were pretty good buddies when we were here and obviously we went to Flames development camp and the Young Stars Classic together so we talked about it a lot,” said Rassell, who has 14 goals and seven assists on the year. “It’s disappointing it’s this far into the season and we couldn’t get it out of the way earlier but I’m excited to have the home and home.” The Hitmen (6-10-1-0) had a slow start to the season but have been playing .500 hockey over their last 10 games and are coming off a pair of wins against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. “I think guys are just starting to get used to the league now. We’ve got some young guys and I feel like everyone is getting into the swing of things,” said Schneider. “We’re making some adjustments with our team game but the coaches have done a great job of helping us come together. I feel like we’ve been playing really well as of late.” Rassell added he’s happy to hear Schneider is doing well in his No. 1 role, but with four points and some serious bragging rights on the table this weekend, that support stops with tonight’s drop of the puck. “I see he’s playing pretty well up there so I’m happy for him,” he said. “But personally I’m hoping I can get a goal or two on him and be able rub it in after the game.” 16
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