The Beanpot - JUN.25.08
Entry posted by Cory Schneider
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<table align="center" border="0" width="80%"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload//2008/06/cory_blog.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1">We started out today with an on ice session before coming back to GM Place to do some more fitness testing. It's an exhausting day and it makes me think about how glad I am that I finished my class just before I came out here.
I'm still trying to finish up my degree and I just did my last finance class this summer to complete it – it was about financial policy. It was pretty difficult but it was a required course and I thought it was good to get that one out of the way while my mind was still somewhat alive. I'm now four electives away from graduation and getting my finance degree. My dad's been in business for a while now so when I went to school, I wanted to do something in that area, which I do have some interest in and BC has a good business school so it all kind of worked itself out in that way.
<img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/goalie4_09072007_t.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1">The class I just finished was a six week course that was twice a week, three hours a night. It was tough to sit through it but you get it done in six weeks, so it's not bad. I can really only take classes in the summer because I'm playing during the season. Maybe I could take an online course during the season but I think they're pretty strict on what credits they accept and don't accept so it's just easier to go in the summer and I work out there any way so it's convenient.
Not sure what electives I'm going to take yet but that's the nice thing is that I get to pick and choose what interests me and it should be more fun than having to crunch numbers all the time. I'll probably be finishing those up next year because I think the second semester is starting up pretty soon and I haven't registered yet so I think I'm going to enjoy the rest of summer and get ready for camp. I think next summer, taking two electives is more doable as opposed to doing a finance course and an elective so it should be a little easier – at least I think so. Most people want a distraction or a break from school but for me, it's nice to keep my mind going and not be focused on hockey all the time.
My parents are really adamant that if I left early that I would finish my degree and my coaches at BC always like it when their athletes who do leave early, come back and finish. And myself personally, it'll be a really great accomplishment because you never know what's going to happen with hockey, if it's going to work out or if you get hurt and having that degree is going to be a big benefit.
<img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload//2008/06/jun2508_schneider01_t.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1">Transitioning from college to pro hockey was one of my biggest adjustments this season. In the first half of the year, where I struggled, I was used to being distracted by class, friends, and socializing, hockey was a big element but you had other things on the side. Then you come out and become a pro and all you worry about is hockey and I don't think I was giving it quite the attention that I should have. It's a big adjustment for a lot of college guys but once you sit down and realize you get paid to do this and it is a profession, a lot of people are counting on you, then you kind of change your mind and your attitude gets geared towards being the best hockey player you can possibly be.
Patrick White and I have talked a lot about adjusting and the whole experience. I try to help him out because I know what he's going through, being a first round pick, struggling a little bit out of the gate, and adjusting to college life. I remember when I was still in college hanging out with some of the pro guys and how they looked after me and took care of me. He'll be fine, he seems like a bright mature young guy but I'm trying to answer any questions or give him any advice I can give him.
<img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload//2008/06/jun2508_schneider02_t.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1">One thing I missed at school this year was the annual Beanpot. It's a big Boston tournament between Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern - the four big schools in Boston. Every February, the first and second Mondays we play where the Bruins play and it's a friendly tournament but it gets pretty intense because of the rivalries. It's a big deal in Boston, not a lot of people have heard of it outside of Boston but it's a big tradition that's been going on for about 50 years now.
It's been known as the Boston University invitational because they've won a lot in the past few years. It's more for bragging rights in Boston more than anything but it's not a national championship or a national title or anything like that. I think BC's done better in that regard – I think the Bean Pot's more of a warmup for us.</td></tr></tbody></table>
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