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Princeton University Athletics
The Chosen One
January 08, 2002 | Men's Ice Hockey
In a classroom the "A" is the most important letter in the alphabet. In hockey the most important letter on the ice is the "C" on the captain's sweater. It is the symbol of a leader. It symbolizes someone who usually is an outstanding player, but more importantly someone who embodies leadership qualities.
David Schneider and the "C" are a perfect fit at Princeton. The senior was chosen captain by a vote of his teammates after last season.
"He's a great example of what every player in our program should work towards," Princeton coach Len Quesnelle says. "We use him in every situation we find ourselves in during the year."
Schneider attempts not to dwell on the responsibility.
"I didn't try to change too much from last year," says Schneider. "But I do try to be more vocal with the guys while leading by example. Sometimes things need to be said in the locker room. I have to be the first guy to get the ball rolling." Kirk Lamb '01 proudly wore the "C" last season. Lamb and last year's assistant captains Shane Campbell '01 and Chris Corrinet '01 have graduated, leaving the Tigers with 11 freshmen and sophomores on their roster. In many ways wearing the "C" is even more important this year than last winter. It is up to Schneider to keep his younger teammates focused and confident.
"There is a difference between last year and this year," Schneider notes. "I try to rattle the younger players up sometimes and get them focused, but there are a lot of things that they are going to have to figure out for themselves."
The Tigers have had a rich tradition of leaders on the ice, and Schneider has had the privilege of skating with former captains like Lamb, Darren Yopyk '00, Syl Apps '99 and Jeff Halpern '99. He has learned a great deal about leadership from them.
But while Schneider acknowledges the accomplishments of the former captains, he realized at the start of the season that he had to grow into the job in his own way.
"Their personalities were different than mine," says Schneider. "Kirk was a lot more vocal. I learned more about strategy from them than leadership ability. I have my own way about me."
Princeton's most reliable defenseman in his own zone, Schneider also is a threat at the offensive end of the ice. He has 16 career goals, which ties him with Steve Shirreffs '99 for second most by a defenseman in Princeton history.
On pace for another outstanding season, Schneider has fought through injuries throughout much of his Princeton career but only has missed one game so far this winter. He missed eight games last season but still managed to lead the team in points by a defenseman for the second consecutive year.
He played in 21 games in his first year, scoring one goal, but enjoyed a breakout season his sophomore campaign. The quarterback on the power play, he had five goals and 11 assists as a sophomore and notched eight goals and seven assists last year, earning honorable mention All-Ivy League honors for the second time.
His first six career goals all came on the power play, and in 1999-00 only one ECAC sophomore had more than Schneider's 15 power-play points and no defenseman had more than his five power-play goals in conference games.
"I didn't consider my freshman year too successful," Schneider says. "I was injured a lot, and I didn't have much confidence. I came back more confident my sophomore year and became a better player."
Schneider's hockey days blossomed at Westminster School in Connecticut. The Melrose Park, Ill., native played at Westminster for three seasons and was a two-time captain for the Martlets.
"It's very much like Princeton," Schneider says, "since it has a tough academic schedule to go along with a top athletic program. Coming to Princeton wasn't very different after going to Westminster."
Schneider was recruited heavily by Princeton and was impressed with campus life as well as the hockey program. He knew that Princeton would be the perfect fit for him. Now one of the top defenseman in the ECAC, Schneider is in the process of putting together his finest season. He was eager to get on the ice this year with the memory of Princeton's bitter playoff loss to Cornell still in his mind.
"It definitely was bittersweet last year," recalls Schneider. "We achieved some goals at the end of the year and felt pretty confident that we could beat Cornell. We played two one-goal games, and it could have gone either way."
Princeton's young lineup has experienced some growing pains in the early part of the season. Schneider is one of several players who have been sidelined with an injury at one point during the early part of the 2001-02 campaign. Perhaps the Tigers may have turned the corner with an impressive 4-2 road win at RPI before heading into the Notre Dame weekend.
"We've had some bad luck so far," Schneider says. "We are a young team, and we're going to go through some rough times. It will be nice to have everyone healthy to see what we can do when we're in top form."
Schneider is hoping to continue playing hockey after he graduates from Princeton this spring. Several other former Tigers have made the transition to professional hockey in recent years, and Schneider is hoping his opportunity will come.
Not matter what, however, Schneider is well prepared for life after hockey.
"I'm hoping to still be able to play hockey after I'm done here," the politics major says. "However, I'm definitely interested in government. Hopefully I could be a congressman in the future."
The future politician and the "C" are a perfect fit at Princeton.
- by Ed Benkin