Mathieu Schneider

Mathieu Schneider is an American defenseman on the Phoenix Coyotes.

Schneider was originally drafted by Montreal in 1987. He joined the Canadiens for four games that season, but spent the rest of the next two seasons in the OHL and AHL. In 1990, he earned a spot on the Canadiens’ roster, and began to develop into a solid NHL defenseman. After winning the Cup in ’93, he was the top scoring defenseman in 1994, with 52 points. In 1995, he was traded to the New York Islanders, where he made the All Star team in ’96, but was traded to Toronto by the end of the season. He played two seasons with the Leafs before a contract dispute resulted in a trade to the New York Rangers, where he played until 2000. He was selected by Columbus in the expansion draft that year, but never signed with the Blue Jackets and was picked up by Los Angeles. He was traded to Detroit in 2003, after making another All-Star appearance. In 2006, after the lockout, Schneider played his 1000th NHL game, as well as finishing the season with a career high 21 goals, 38 assists and 59 points. Schneider signed with the reigning Cup champion Anaheim Ducks in 2007, only to watch his former team, the Red Wings, win the Cup in 2008. He was traded to Atlanta just before the opening of the 2008-09 season. Schneider is one of the most talented offensive defensemen in the NHL, with over 200 goals and over 700 points in nearly 1300 NHL games, while his 1200+ penalty minutes indicate he is a very well rounded player. He scored 15 points in 44 games with the Thrashers in 2008, and was traded to Montreal at the trade deadline, as the Canadiens bolstered their rosters for the upcoming postseason. He ended up scoring 17 points in the last 23 games of the season with Montreal. Schneider signed with the Canucks in 2009, adding veteran leadership and offensive depth to their blueline. However, he played just 17 games with the Canucks in 2009-10, and was traded to Phoenix at the trade deadline. He played through the postseason with the Coyotes, and will remain with the franchise for the 2010-11 season if he doesn't end up retiring.

Schneider played for Team USA at the 1988 World Juniors, won gold at the ’96 World Cup, and played in the ’96 and ’06 Winter Olympics.