CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence

I like this choice very much.

The kid is small, but strong and fiesty. He did his wingate test and vomited once it was over. He also completed 17 bench presses at 150 pounds, which has impressed everyone.

He didn’t do very well at the World Juniors, but he’s entitled to a bad series. His amazing skill set is not in question with anyone.

In one of his meetings with a GM, he was asked who he would like to go out to dinner with -  Barack Obama, Maria Sharapova or Sean Avery.

“I would have liked to have picked Sharapova but I went with Avery,” Schroeder answered.

This would have turned some GMs off.  Gare Joyce said Schroeder was among “those who might have talked themselves into disrepute.”

He’s my kind of guy.

He might be a Republican, and realize that Avery could introduce him to other women – not just Maria Sharapova.

Besides, if Avery didn’t finish his steak, Jordan could always take home his seconds – in a doggie bag.

*****

Jordan Schroeder was named the National Rookie of the Year by College Hockey News and Inside College Hockey.

He is currently a teammate of another ‘nucks’ prospect Patrick White.

“At 5’9/180, Schroeder isnt’ the biggest freshman in stature,” Hockey’s Future wrote, “but he may be the most complete. Schroeder is a highly intelligent player that thinks and understands the game exceedingly well. He possesses excellent vision, awareness, and knows where plays will end up. He is instinctive and creative. Schroeder has the ability to make players around him better and his infectious enthusiasm and passion for the game is difficult to miss.”

courtesy of tsn.com

2008-09 • Freshman Season
Named National Rookie of the Year by College Hockey News and Inside College Hockey • earned WCHA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie team honors • selected second-team All-WCHA after leading the league with 24 assists in conference games • ranked third nationally in scoring with 1.29 points per game as the only freshman among the nation’s top 40 scorers • ranked third in the country with 32 assists in 35 games • ranked second in the WCHA in scoring with 35 points in league games, which was one point behind linemate Ryan Stoa • won team’s Rookie of the Year award • named the National Rookie of the Month for November with 13 points in nine games • won back-to-back WCHA Rookie of the Week honors after series against Minnesota State and New Hampshire (11/4 and 11/11) • scored points in 28 of 35 games played, including 15 multiple point games • ended the season on an eight-game scoring streak • had two goals and an assist and scored the game-winning goal in 5-2 win over Denver (11/21) • notched the game-winner in a 5-1 win over St. Cloud State (1/16) • played with the U.S. squad in the under-20 World Junior championships for the second straight year, leading the team and ranking third in the tournament in scoring with three goals and eight assists for 11 points • scored points in each of Team USA’s six games at World Juniors and became Team USA’s all-time assists leader with 15 for his career, surpassing the previous record of 14 by current NHL star Doug Weight • ranked fifth among all NHL draft eligible North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting Service following the season • earned his first letter.

HIGH SCHOOL
Played the past two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development program in Ann Arbor, Mich. • led the U.S. under-18 national team in scoring with 22-31–53 in 55 games last season • played with the U.S. under-20 national squad at the IIHF World Junior championships in the Czech Republic in 2007-08 and led all players in the tournament with seven assists • helped the under-18 national team to a bronze medal in 2008 and a silver medal in 2007 at the world championships • participated in the U.S. national junior evaluation camp for the second straight year in August 2008 • began the 2006-07 season with the U.S. under-17 team and finished the year with the under-18 squad • played prep hockey at St. Thomas Academy in 2005-06, leading team to a 23-5-1 record and the Class A state championship with 62 points in 31 games • head coaches were Tom and Greg Vannelli • graduated from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor with high honors.

PERSONAL
Undecided on a major • hobbies include golf • lists playing in the under-20 world junior championships as most memorable sports thrill • son of John and Deb Schroeder • born September 29, 1990.”

“Nice moment: the Canucks send Roberto Luongo out to make the pick. Shroeder finally gets the call after what has to be the longest wait of the night. Have to believe that teams were turned off by his size and an unimpressive showing at the World Juniors (note to his apologists: I’m talking about games against legitimate competition here, not Germany and Slovakia). Still, he’s a dynamic skater, wildly creative and has a tremendous shot, evidenced by his 1.30 points-per-game average with the Gophers, tops among all NCAA freshman. I do believe he’ll end up being a top-six forward for the Canucks. “

Charley Walters

“It will be interesting if Gophers star forward Jordan Schroeder is available when the Wild pick at No. 12 in Friday’s NHL entry draft in Montreal…The Wild could pass on Schroeder, claiming he’s too small at 5 feet 9 and 180 pounds. But the 18-year-old has excelled at every level of his young career, including international competition despite being underage. And he finished runner-up in overall strength testing at the NHL draft combine in Toronto. Schroeder, an excellent passer who sees all of the ice, would be able to get the puck to Marian Gaborik if they were paired on the Wild…Schroeder is a bona fide first-round talent, a strong-legged player with the “pizazz” the Wild say they will seek in future picks. Drafting him would show Wild rooters that they and the team are in business together.”

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