Braden Schneider showcased a strong physical, defensive game during his first two seasons with Brandon of the Western Hockey League. But to make it to the next level he's focused on rounding out his game with more offense.
The 18-year-old right-shot defenseman has 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 25 games, which puts him ahead of his scoring pace from last season when he had 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 58 games.
"I want to improve every part of my game but the big thing would be improving in the offensive zone and working on my two-way game a little bit more," Schneider said. "I'm not sure I'll be given it but I'm sure I'll work for it and I'll try to prove myself and hopefully get more opportunities in that end of the ice."
Brandon general manager Darren Ritchie said he believes Schneider has the ability to be as good in the offensive zone as he has proven to be in the defensive zone.
"I don't think his mindset is to jump into the play all the time and get points," Ritchie said. " I think he takes care of his end and when he has those opportunities he will jump into the play. We saw it more in the second half of last
(Colorado Avalanche),
Stelio Mattheos
(Carolina Hurricanes, what they had to deal with. It reminds me a lot of Ryan Pulock that we had. Ryan played two years, exactly the same as Braden, played against the top players and then his third year all of a sudden everyone is here watching him all the time. They've seen it and I think that will help him. He'll be fine."
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