Wheat Kings name Schneider captain

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This article was published 19/02/2021 (1858 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Veteran defenceman Braden Schneider was named captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings on Thursday.

The 19-year-old from Prince Albert, Sask., was understandably pleased with the news after two seasons as an alternate captain.

“I was very honoured,” Schneider said. “Growing up with the organization, I’ve had the privilege to play with some pretty great captains and to be named one of them is very special to me and means a lot. I’m looking forward to leading our team. I think we have a very strong team and I hope we get as many wins as we can in the situation we’re in.”

No alternate captains have been named yet by the Wheat Kings, who kick off their pandemic-shortened Western Hockey League season on March 12, with the five teams from Saskatchewan and two from Manitoba playing all their games in Regina’s Brandt Centre. 

During his time in Brandon, Schneider has played under captains Connor Gutenberg, Stelio Mattheos, Tanner Kaspick and James Shearer.

His leadership style reflects elements of all of them.

“I lead by example,” Schneider said. “I don’t think you need to say much if you’re doing as many of the right things as you can. I think people will gravitate and look up to you if you’re doing things consistently as best as you can.

“In saying that, if there’s something that needs to be said in the room, I’m not afraid to say something.”

Schneider was quick to add the weight of leadership will certainly be shared. He likes what his teammates bring to the mix as well.

“There are a lot of guys who have been around and have been here just as long as I have and have shown the great qualities of working hard and doing the right things every day,” Schneider said. “I think we have a really good room and a really special group and I’m looking forward to being with all of them.”

The four-year veteran has skated on Brandon’s top pairing since he was 16. In 185 career WHL games, he has 16 goals, 72 assists, 84 penalty minutes and a plus-minus rating of 32.

Wheat Kings head coach Don MacGillivray certainly appreciates what Schneider brings to his club.

“He’s been a Wheat King for four years, he’s obviously been at a high level, he displays good character, he displays leadership,” MacGillivray said. “He’s one of the hardest workers we have on our team. He’s everything you want in an older player who can pass things down to the younger players. 

“We’re very fortunate that he’s coming back to do that for us because I think he’s good enough to play at the next level.”

In what will almost certainly be his final year in the league, imparting Brandon’s culture is an important goal for Schneider, who said he appreciates the things he’s picked up as a Wheat King.

“It’s simple things like working hard and being a good person and trying to stay positive and optimistic with things and getting the job done,” Schneider said. “There are a lot of qualities from being a Wheat King and I’m looking forward to passing on the tradition and the culture that the team has.”

It’s been quite a year for Schneider, who was selected in the first round of the 2020 National Hockey League draft by the New York Rangers in October and played on Canada’s silver-medal-winning entry at the world junior hockey championship in January. 

He also got his first two pro games under his belt earlier this month when he skated with the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, the top farm team of the Rangers.

Schneider said he absorbed a lot from his pro experience that he can pass on to younger players.

“I learned a ton in the short time that I was there,” Schneider said. “I think the main lesson that I learned is the preparation that it takes to be at that next level. To be on a winning team, everyone has to buy in and if you’re doing all the little things right, the bigger things tend to fall into place.

“Whether it’s keeping your body ready or eating right, there is a lot that goes into getting to that level and being a winning hockey team.”

Elsewhere, the Moose Jaw Warriors named Daemon Hunt their captain and added alternate captains Tate Popple and Calder Anderson, putting three Brandonites on their leadership group.

ICINGS: No fans are allowed at games but the Canadian Hockey League has a new online streaming service through Verizon Media. Details haven’t yet been announced.

 

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