SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Manitoba Moose goaltender Cory Schneider has been named the Rbk Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month for March. Schneider was 6-0-1 with a 1.27 goals-against average, a .950 save percentage and two shutouts in seven appearances last month.
Schneider stopped 26 of 27 shots in a 2-1 win over Quad City on Mar. 2, then came back with 24 saves for his first professional shutout, a 2-0 decision at Hamilton on Mar. 7. Schneider turned aside 63 of 64 Hershey shots during a two-game series with the Bears on Mar. 15 and 16, and ran his personal winning streak to nine games with a 3-2 win over San Antonio on Mar. 19.
In recognition of his achievement, Schneider will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Moose home game.
Schneider, who turned 22 last month, owns a record of 17-10-2 with a 2.39 GAA, a .912 save percentage and two shutouts in 30 games for Manitoba. The native of Marblehead, Mass., was a standout for three seasons at Boston College (2004-07), and represented the United States at the World Junior Championships in 2005 and 2006. Schneider was a first-round draft choice (26th overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in 2004.
Other nominees for Rbk Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month include Albany defenseman Steve Ward, Binghamton center Alexander Nikulin, Bridgeport center Colton Fretter, Chicago defenseman Chad Denny, Grand Rapids center Darren Helm, Hartford center Mike Ouellette, Houston right wing Cal Clutterbuck, Lowell defenseman Rosario Ruggeri, Manchester right wing Teddy Purcell, Milwaukee center Mike Santorelli, Philadelphia center Jonathan Matsumoto, Providence goaltender Tuukka Rask, Quad City goaltender Matt Keetley, Rochester defenseman/left wing Marc-Andre Gragnani, Rockford right wing Derek Nesbitt, San Antonio defenseman Dylan Reese, Syracuse center Derick Brassard and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender John Curry.
