New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Cole Schneider.
Schneider, 26, skated in 71 games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) this past season, registering 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points, along with a plus-nine rating and 45 penalty minutes. He established AHL career-highs in assists, points, and power play goals (nine) in 2016-17. Schneider tied for sixth in the AHL in points during the past season. In addition, he led Rochester in assists, points, plus/minus rating, and shots on goal (176), tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (four), and ranked second in goals and power play goals in 2016-17. Schneider also participated in the 2017 AHL All-Star Challenge, and he recorded one goal while representing the North Division All-Stars.
The 6-1, 200-pounder also skated in four NHL games with Buffalo during the past season, registering one assist and posting a plus-two rating. Schneider tallied his first career NHL assist/point and posted a plus-one rating while making his 2016-17 NHL season debut on November 9, 2016 vs. Ottawa. He also posted a plus-one rating on November 19, 2016 vs. Pittsburgh.
Schneider has skated in 353 career AHL games over parts of six seasons (2011-12 – 2016-17), registering 111 goals and 157 assists for 268 points, along with a plus-24 rating and 171 penalty minutes. He has recorded at least 20 goals and 50 points in each of his last four seasons in the AHL (2013-14 – 2016-17), and he established an AHL career-high in goals (29) with Binghamton during the 2014-15 season. Schneider has also played in seven career AHL playoff games, recording two assists in those contests.
Schneider has played in six career NHL games over parts of two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17), both with Buffalo, tallying one assist and posting a plus-two rating. He made his NHL debut with the Sabres on April 8, 2016 vs. Columbus. Schneider has recorded at least two shots on goal in four of his six career games in the NHL.
Prior to beginning his professional career, Schneider played two seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Connecticut (2010-11 and 2011-12). He skated in 75 career collegiate games, registering 36 goals and 42 assists for 78 points, along with a plus-six rating and 65 penalty minutes. Schneider was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) First All-Star Team in 2011-12, as he recorded 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) in 38 contests. He was also named to the AHA All-Rookie Team in 2010-11, as he tallied 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 37 games. Schneider led UConn in points in each of his two collegiate seasons.
The Williamsville, New York, native was originally signed by Ottawa as an undrafted free agent on March 14, 2012.
