Braden Schneider

June 2022 – Schneider appeared in 43 games for the Rangers this season, registering two goals and nine assists for 11 points, while adding three assists in 20 playoff games during the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals.  Barring something unforeseen, Schneider will look to carry that momentum forward heading into the 2022-2023 season and cement his NHL roster spot.  The righty, paired with pending UFA Justin Braun, played with poise during New York’s postseason run.  A reunion with AHL defense partner Zac Jones might be in the cards heading into the upcoming season, as the two players both aim to be full-time NHLers next season.  Brendan Ferry

March 2021 – Shortly after returning to Brandon, Manitoba to prepare for the beginning of the 2021 WHL campaign, Braden Schneider agreed to terms with the New York Rangers on his Entry Level Contract. The 2020 draftee auditioned for the Rangers with the organizations AHL affiliate in Hartford for a  brief period while waiting for the WHL to arrange for an official return-to-play plan. The 19-year-old will return to the Wheat Kings to don the ‘C’ for the club in what will likely be his final year of Major Junior competition. Brayden Olafson

January 2021 – The 2021 WJC allowed the Rangers first-round selection to put his skills on display against the best competition of his peers, and the defenseman did not disappoint. In fact, the argument could be made that Schneider completed the tournament as one of Canada’s three most valuable defensemen, behind Bowen Byram and alongside Jamie Drysdale. The suffocating defense provided by the Wheat King, in addition to a valuable supplement of offensive support made him one of the stand out players of the tournament. This success comes in spite of the criticism that the Rangers’ received for trading up to select Schneider at 19th overall, and should act as a springboard for his future valuation and projection as a potential top-four NHL defenseman. Brayden Olafson

December 2020 – Schneider was invited to the selection camp for Canada’s 2021 World Junior Championship team that will compete at the tournament this January in Alberta. With a glut of talented and experienced blueliners on the selection camp roster, Schneider will be facing an uphill battle to make the final cut, but in the case that he does make the final roster, will likely be cast in a shutdown role. Brayden Olafson

October 2020 – Schneider was the fourth defenseman taken in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers traded up from the 22nd pick to the 19th pick to select Schneider, shortly after Kaiden Guhle was taken by the Montreal Canadiens. The right-shot defenseman falls into a system with no shortage of quality defense prospects on the right side. This selection by the Rangers could begin to allow the team to marinate their defensemen for longer periods in the AHL – something that they’ve not had the luxury to do in the early stages of their rebuild. On his current trajectory, and because of his September 20th birthday, the 19-year-old Schneider should be expected to make the jump to the AHL following the 2020-21 WHL season. Brayden Olafson

August 2019 – Braden Schneider is one of the top defenders eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft. His game is predicated on effective puck movement and a willingness to use his strong frame to his advantage. Defensively, he stays in a good position and closes the gap on the rush. He engages physically, stepping up on a forward who is attempting to enter the zone with possession. He battles in front of the net, using his size to clear space for his goaltender. He has a penchant for throwing big hits that can sometimes take him out of the play which is one area of his game that could use some cleaning up. The young Brandon Wheat Kings defender makes a good first pass, oftentimes opting for the aggressive play such as a stretch pass. He tries to push the pace from the backend. Schneider does a good job of identifying when to jump into the rush creating an odd-man rush. He does a good job of trailing the play and cleaning up a rebound or finding the loose puck to continue applying the offensive pressure. He has a great shot that he gets off quickly, doing an excellent job of getting down to the circles rather than taking low percentage shots from the blue line. The combination of Schneider’s size, skating and IQ is an intriguing skill set for a modern-day defenseman. –Tony Ferrari