Mathieu Schneider

**Mathieu David Schneider** (born June 12, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played parts of 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Vancouver Canucks, and Phoenix Coyotes.

Schneider is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Canadiens in 1993. He is also a two-time All-Star, being named one in 1996 and 2003.

## Career

Before playing in the NHL, Schneider played parts of two seasons with Cornwall Royals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

He was drafted 44th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1987 NHL entry draft. He was immediately sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Sherbrooke Canadiens. On October 8, 1987, Montreal called him up and Schneider made his NHL debut in a 2–2 overtime tie against the Philadelphia Flyers. On December 30, 1989, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Mats Näslund goal in a 5–3 loss against the Calgary Flames. On January 7, 1990, Schneider scored his first NHL goal against Kirk McLean in a 5–3 win against the Vancouver Canucks. He helped the Canadiens when they went on a run during the playoffs. They defeated the Quebec Nordiques, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Islanders. They eventually went on to defeat the Los Angeles Kings four games to one in the Finals to win the Stanley Cup.

On April 5, 1995, the Canadiens traded Schneider along with Kirk Muller and Craig Darby to the New York Islanders in exchange for Pierre Turgeon and Vladimir Malakhov. During the 1996 season, he was named to his first All-Star Game.

On March 13, 1996, the Islanders traded Schneider along with Wendel Clark and D. J. Smith to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Sean Haggerty, Darby Hendrickson, Kenny Jönsson, and a 1997 first-round pick (#4-Roberto Luongo). It was considered to be one of the most lopsided trades in NHL history. He played parts of three seasons with the Maple Leafs.

On October 14, 1998, the Maple Leafs traded Schneider to the New York Rangers in exchange for Alexander Karpovtsev and a 1999 fourth-round pick. The next day, he signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract to stay with the Rangers.

On June 23, 2000, Schneider went unprotected in the expansion draft and the Columbus Blue Jackets selected him. He never played a game with the Blue Jackets. On August 13, 2000, Schneider signed a one-year contract to join the Los Angeles Kings. On July 2, 2001, Schneider signed a three-year contract to join the Los Angeles Kings. During the 2002-03 season, he was named to his second All-Star Game. He played parts of three seasons with the Kings.

On March 11, 2003, the Kings traded Schneider to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Sean Avery, Maxim Kuznetsov a 2003 first round draft pick and a 2004 second-round pick. On August 4, 2005, Schneider signed a two-year contract to stay with the Red Wings. On October 21, Schneider played in his 1,000 NHL game in a 3–2 win against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. During the game, he assisted on a Mikael Samuelsson goal.

On July 1, 2007, Schneider signed a two-year, $11.25 million contract to join the Anaheim Ducks. He only played one season with the Ducks, scoring 12 goals and recording 27 assists for 39 points. On September 17, 2008, the Ducks placed Schneider on waivers and he cleared them.

On September 26, 2008, the Ducks traded Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Ken Klee, Brad Larsen, and Chad Painchaud. He scored 4 goals and recorded 11 assists for 15 points in 44 games with the Thrashers.

On February 16, 2009, the Thrashers traded Schneider along with a 2009 conditional draft pick back to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2009 second-round draft pick and a 2010 third-round draft pick. In his return to Montreal, he scored 5 goals and recorded 12 assists for 17 points in 23 regular season games.

On August 28, 2009, Schneider signed a one-year, $1.55 million contract to join the Vancouver Canucks. During his only season with the Canucks, he scored 2 goals and recorded 3 assists for 5 points in 17 regular season games. On December 29, the Canucks decided to waive Schneider and he cleared them to play for their AHL-affiliate Manitoba Moose.

On March 3, 2010, the Canucks traded Schneider to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Sean Zimmerman and a 2010 sixth-round draft pick. Schneider on played 8 games with the team and recorded 4 assists.

Schneider decided to retire from playing professional ice hockey at the end of the season and join the National Hockey League Players' Association as a special assistant.

## Personal life

Schneider is Jewish and was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 2024.

## Infobox (ice hockey player)

- **image**: MathieuSchneider.jpg
- **caption**: Schneider during his time with the Red Wings on November 17, 2006
- **position**: Defenceman, Defense
- **shoots**: Left
- **birth place**: New York City, New York (state), New York
- **height ft**: 5
- **height in**: 11
- **weight lb**: 192
- **played for**: Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
Detroit Red Wings
Anaheim Ducks
Atlanta Thrashers
Vancouver Canucks
Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Coyotes
- **ntl team**: USA
- **draft**: 44th overall
- **draft year**: 1987
- **draft team**: Montreal Canadiens
- **career start**: 1987
- **career end**: 2010