FEATURE: Schneider is Staying Busy

Cory Schneider knows his New Jersey Devils won't be a part of the NHL's plan to return to play later this summer, but it's something the team has finally come to terms with.

"We didn't want to stand in the way of what was needed to be done to get back to playing." Schneider said of the unanimous 'yes' vote from the Devils on the Return to Plan plan proposed by the NHL.

Schneider is the Devils player representative with the National Hockey League's Player Association and is the voting member on behalf of his club. He casted the Devils a unanimous vote knowing full well they were on the outside looking in.

"I mean, it was, it was not an easy thing for us to hear," Schneider said on his exit-meeting video call with the media, "we started hearing rumblings of the 24-team format ahead of time. And I think it was a mixed, I think mixed emotions because clearly you want to get back and play and be with a team again and be able to do your job and do what you love."

I think a lot of guys were just looking for an answer, one way or another, like, 'Are we going to come back? Are we not?' So, I think at least it gave us some closure. And, you know, it just allowed us to move on or just prepare for what we need to prepare for, which is next season."

Schneider will remain involved in the NHL and NHLPA discussions surrounding the Return to Play, which has also been intertwined with new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks.

"We actually had a call the other night," the veteran goaltender said, "You know, it's still ongoing, all the stuff that needs to get done. The return to play is a big part of it, we have a specific committee for that. So, they're doing a lot of the nitty gritty and the legwork on that. And then, they kind of update the group and at some point, we have to vote on it. So, we're still involved in that sense.

"The CBA negotiations are ongoing. I know, they started last fall, last summer, but that can be a key element here in returning to play, trying to set up the next couple seasons and how it's going to affect the cap and how it's going to affect escrow and all sorts of important stuff."

In between NHLPA phone calls and managing life at home with wife Jill and kids Wyatt and Remy, Cory is also skating in between his other responsibilities. With facilities now open, Schneider will spend some time on the ice at RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House to get the legs moving and dust off the cobwebs.

"Any chance you get to get on the ice, I think I should take advantage even it's just to get your feet back, just to remember what it's like to skate and wear the equipment," he said, "that can be something that could help going forward."

Because there is no certainty when the next NHL season will start, staying involved where you can, create competition where you can. It's time to get creative.

"With a long break like this," he said, "it's easy to fall out of the routine and the habit and what it takes to mentally, physically get yourself in the mindset to play. So, I think we're going have to work with our team and find ways to stay competitive. If we can't be together, just everything you do, should have some sort of competition in it, whether it's in the weight room, or on the ice or wherever you're going to be, because it's an important component of not playing. It's not just the physical aspect, it's the mental and the competitive spirit of it."

With the potential for a very long layoff for the seven teams not participating in the proposed post-season, plans need to shift on how to take care of your body, be ready for whenever competition returns.

"It's been tricky," he admitted, "I think at the beginning, you're sort of maintaining, you're just trying to keep up what you had and waiting to come back. And I think as you realize that this was going to go on for a long time, it's difficult to maintain a high level of training all the time if you don't have a plan or a goal in mind.

"So, for me," he continued, "I've just been, right now trying to stay in general shape, running and doing some weights and stretching and things like that, knowing now that we're not getting back in camp for five months or so, it did give me a better idea of how to tailor the next few months going forward."