Schneider thrilled to be going home

By MARK HUNTER
Daily News Sports Reporter
Mark Schneider gets to follow in the footsteps of his father and two
of his uncles.
Schneider, a defenceman who turns 18 on Nov. 10, was traded from the
Kamloops Blazers to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday. The Blazers
received a seventh-round pick in the 2009 or 2010 bantam draft — at
Brandon’s option — in exchange for the second-year blueliner.
For Schneider, the chance to play in Brandon, his hometown, is a dream
come true. But he’s not the first Schneider to wear the Wheat Kings
jersey — in fact, he’s not even the first Mark Schneider to do it.
“My dad played there and two of my uncles played there,” he said.
“Growing up, hockey was a big part of my family — this is going to be
great.”
Ken Schneider, Mark’s father, played three seasons with the Wheat
Kings between 1979 and 1982. Mark Schneider, Ken’s brother and the
namesake for Ken’s son, also played in Brandon for part of 1981-82,
while Kelly Glowa, another uncle to Mark, played for the Wheat Kings
from 1980 until 1984.
So Mark Schneider gets to skate on the same ice as his family and,
perhaps more excitingly for the sophomore, in front of some of those
people.
“You grow up watching the Wheat Kings play and you dream of someday
playing for them,” he said. “There’s going to be lots of friends and
family around the rink in Brandon and it will be a treat.”
As it happens, Schneider was heading out the door to take his parents,
who had been visiting, to the airport when he learned of the trade. So
he and Ken hit the road, and stayed in Calgary last night.
For Craig Bonner, general manager of the Blazers, trading Mark was a
business move to get Kamloops down to seven defencemen. Schneider had
been a healthy scratch three of the last four games and five of the
Blazers’ first 11.
“We were in a situation where we wanted to get down to seven
defencemen and he was the odd man out,” Bonner said. “I was happy that
we could get him to his hometown and a good organization.
“We probably could have held out for something more, but with him
being such a good kid . . . I was very happy to get him in his
hometown.”
Schneider had yet to record a point this season after tallying a goal
and an assist last season, a campaign in which he only played 34 games
due to wrist, face and knee injuries.
The move leaves the Blazers with two goaltenders, seven defencemen and
13 forwards, one of which is Shayne Wiebe, another Brandon native and
one of Mark’s best friends.
“Me and Shayne grew up playing together and we became good buddies
over all this time,” Schneider said. “It’s going to be weird looking
across the ice and seeing Shayne in blue and orange and me in black
and white. I’ll have to keep my head up for him.”
As sad as it is to leave his friends behind, Schneider could not be
more excited about the opportunity that awaits. The Wheat Kings, a
young, talented team, are a frontrunner to play host to the 2010
Memorial Cup. A decision is expected today.
“It’s a great opportunity — hopefully they win the bid,” Schneider
said. “We’ve got a good, young team and I’m looking forward to joining
the boys.”
Schneider is hoping to play Friday, when Brandon plays
host to the Portland Winter Hawks.
mhunter@kamloopsnews.ca