Will Peter Schneider end his career in Salzburg? – Hockey-News.info
Not only on the ice, but also in the cabin, the 30-year-old Peter Schneider has the respect of his teammates and was not elected one of the assistant captains for nothing. EC Red Bull Salzburg has published an interview with the veteran, who has already seen a lot in America and Europe.
How are you doing with the Red Bulls after their first games in the ICE and Champions Hockey League?
We can be very satisfied with the CHL, we have won everything. Sure, not everything was perfect, but the performance and the results were good. We knew what we were working on in practice. The start in the league was great for us too. For example, we didn’t play that well against Dornbirn, but we talked about it afterwards and now it fits again. Things like that happen in ice hockey.
Have you already found each other as a team?
We get along very well on the ice and also privately. But we have some new players and our game system is sure to be difficult to play. You have to get used to it and of course it takes time.
What made you decide to go to Salzburg after your stops in Vienna, Biel-Bienne and Brno in the summer?
My goal was to win a championship title and I was looking for a team where that was possible. Salzburg was clearly the favorite. I’ve also heard a lot of good things from players in Salzburg. The year with the Covid pandemic also played a role. The time was not easy for anyone, including us, and I wanted to go back to Austria with my girlfriend.
Is it going to be a longer stay in Salzburg after you’ve recently hiked a lot?
I hope so. I like it very much here. I like the organization in the club, how everything is structured. I can already imagine staying longer here in Salzburg.
You spent most of your time in one place – from a sporting point of view – in America at the University of Notre Dame. How did you experience that time?
It was a very beautiful time. I was in college at a great university for four years. I really enjoyed the academic training there. I had a lot of fun at university. In the four years I always played with the same friendship, great ones also build up. It was a nice time.
What were your highlights there?
That was definitely the last title [NCAA, CCHA Champion, Anm.]that we won in the last game. That was a great experience.
How much did your stay in America affect your playing style?
I think the years in America have shaped me a lot. The ice surface is smaller, the game is much more straightforward, and there is a lot more pull to the goal. I think I still have that in my game. I have to make sure that I don’t transfer the style of play too much here. We have more space and space here and I have to try to take the space more. Personally, the stay also had a strong impact on me. It’s always great when you get to know a different lifestyle when you are abroad. I became more independent and had to do everything myself.
How strong do you rate the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League, which has been expanded to 14 teams, after you have, for example, compared it directly with Switzerland and the Czech Republic?
It is very clear that the two leagues in Switzerland and the Czech Republic are a little better than in Austria. But the difference is not too great. It’s also very difficult to play in Austria. There are very high profile players in the league. In Switzerland the game is faster and in the Czech Republic the style of play is harder. In Switzerland only four foreigners are allowed to play per club, and then death is usually very good.
What do you particularly appreciate about your team / club?
The organization is structured in such a way that every minute detail is looked at. Starting with the training, which is meticulously monitored. Everything is coordinated with it. The club looks after us players and we can fully concentrate on our job.
Where are the Red Bulls at the end of the season?
At the top, of course. That is our goal and I firmly believe in it. But it will be hard work. As you can already see, the league is very even this year. It will be very difficult for us, there are a lot of good teams. But I still see us at the top at the end of the season. Things will get interesting in the CHL. The group phase is over quickly and there are now some top European teams waiting. We’ll see how we do here. We’ll do our best here too and see what comes out in the end.
Austria missed the Olympic qualification for Beijing 2022 in August. How much does it hurt?
It is of course very disappointing because we went there to qualify. But we also knew that it would be very difficult. Slovakia was the favorite, Belarus has a very strong team. Unfortunately, there was no end to it. After the defeat against Slovakia, the air was a bit out. It was a very close game and we fought well. In future we have to see that we get closer to the top teams in Europe.
You have a degree in economics and are currently in the middle of studying law. Professionally, there are many paths open to you after your ice hockey career. Do you have any plans?
Back in America, after graduating, I got a taste of professional life. I did an internship in finance, which was very interesting. I don’t have any specific ideas yet, but this gives me the opportunity to do my head in addition to the sport. For me it is important to pursue goals apart from ice hockey and to make provisions for the future.
How long do you want to be active?
As long as possible. 10 years, even until I’m 40, would be great. But let’s see if the body can play along for so long.
Can you imagine settling down in Salzburg?
In any case, I like the city very much. You have both city and country life right outside the door. But you will see where I will go and which doors will open.
Reveal something about yourself that nobody knows yet!
I speak four languages: Czech, Slovak, German and English.
How much do you care about the next generation?
Very! I can still remember when I played in the youth team and the professional players took the time to train with us. The children are really happy about that and I want to give the boys as much as possible on their way with them.
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