be able to handle it well, take
it in stride. That's the only
way you can cope."
Schneider's play was some-
times erratic last year, his se-
cond in pro hockey but his
first full NHL campaign.
"They call it the sophomore
jinx," he says. "I came in and
I never really knew what to
expect mentally for a full
season, so it was tough. This
year I really knew what to ex-
pect."
Until last year, Schneider's
religion was never brought up
on a rink. But in a game
against Buffalo, Schneider
was stunned to receive an
anti-Semitic slur from one of
the Sabres. Although he's
never repeated the insult nor
named the offending Sabre,
Schneider mentioned the in-
cident to a Montreal reporter.
The incident soon became big
news, certainly bigger than
Schneider wanted it to be.
"I think that was really
blown out of proportion,"
Schneider says. "Sometimes

Until last year,
Schneider's
religion was never
brought up on a
rink. But in a game
against Buffalo,
Schneider was
stunned to receive
an anti-Semitic
slur from one of
the Sabres.

things are said on the ice that
aren't meant. If someone can
call me a name and get under
my skin and take me off my
game then he's doing his job.
Although you don't like to see
that in sport, it's going to be
there. It's a fact of everyday
life and it's not going to
change anything. It's some-
thing of the past. It hasn't
been brought up since. I just
think that I can't let stuff like
that get to me. It's the same
for any black guy in the
league, or any other minority.
You just have to take it with
a grain of salt."
Ironically, at the time of the
incident, Buffalo had a
Jewish player of its own,
Bloomfield Hills native Mike
Hartman. Schneider says he
occasionally speaks to Hart-
man, who has since been
traded to Winnipeg, and
Calgary's Ronnie Stern, both
of whom are noted for their
aggressive, physical play.
"They're both good guys,"
Schneider says. "A couple
guys who aren't afraid of
anyone out there. I think it's

a part of our tradition, being
Jewish, being hard workers
and wanting to get to the. top
and be the best. It's some-
thing I strive for every day."
Schneider's offensive game
has needed little work in the
NHL, but he says he's put a
lot of effort into bettering his
defensive play. "Defensively,
it's toughter in the NHL," he
says. "You make one mistake
and the puck's in your net.
You learn that lesson real
quickly up here."
The key defensive lessons
which Schneider has learned
involve learning how to read
opposing plays as they
develop and adapting to the
speed and quickness of NHL
play. "A lot of it's just reaction
time," he says. "We practice it
every day, three-on-three's
down low, in front of the net
and in the corners. I think it
becomes a habit. The more
you practice it, the more
habit-forming it becomes.
Your reaction time becomes
quicker. And that's when you
get really solid on defense."
While Schneider remains
confident in his offensive
game, he's not worried about
wracking up large point
totals. "I'm hoping I can be a
two-way player," he says,
"especially in the Montreal
system. I'm not worried about
the points — they're going to
come as time goes on, as long
as I get my power play time
and I'm killing penalties."
"The big thing with Mon-
treal is, we play as a team,"
Schneider says. "It doesn't
matter whether Denis Savard
scores 100 points. If he's play-
ing well within the system,
then the team's going to do
well. The same goes for
myself and anyone else on the
team."
Schneider's goals for the
season are team-oriented. He
believes that Montreal can
win the Stanley Cup, calling
the Canadiens one of the
league's top five contenders.
For himself, Schneider
hopes that "someday I can
maybe get a Norris Trophy or
be on the All-Star team.
That's really a goal of mine,
I guess — to become the best
defenseman in hockey."
Meanwhile, Schneider is
also attending to off-ice mat-
ters, with the help of his
father, who handles most of
Mathieu's financial matters.
The two are now in the pro-
cess of buying Mathieu his
first house. "There's not too
many guys my age who are
able to buy their own home,"
Schneider says. "It's just a lot
of fun. I'm in a completely dif-
ferent world than what most
people are used to. It's short-
lived. But I'm going to make
the most of it now." ❑

George Ohrenstein
Graduate Gemologist, Certified Master Watchmaker

After 45 years in business,

George Ohrenstein Jewelers, Ltd.

STOR E

Total Inventory Liquidation Sale

Save a legitimate 50% off

Every Item in Stock.
(Never before and never again)
Nothing held back.

Everything, including fixtures, must be sold.

Sale now in progress. Door closes December 24th.

•All Diamond Jewelry
• 14kt Gold and Precious Gem Jewelry
• 14kt Gold Neckchains and Bracelets

• Extensive 14kt Gold Earring Selection

• Famous, brand-name Watches
• Famous, brand-name Alarm Clocks

• Gift Presentation Clocks
• Cross Pens

• All Sales Final • Free Giftwrapping • Alterations and Engraving for a nominal fee
• Cash, Checks, VISA and Mastercard accepted • No Layaways

All guarantees and appraisals will be on record and honored. Ask for details.

Harvard Row Mall • 11 Mile Rd. & Lahser • Southfield • 353-3146

MEL FARR

"Superstar Dealer"

MERCURY

LINCOLN

NEW '92
SABLE

"GS"

Stk. #20258

Mel Farr
Lincoln
Mercury

683.9500

Ask for:

BUY TODAY ONLY $15,456
LEASE $260.80 / mo.

LARRY WALLINGFORD
or CHARLES LEWIS

4178 Highland Road

This is absolutely the lowest price anywhere!
*Plus ... we guarantee $450 more for your trade.

(M•59 near Pontiac lake Road)

WATERFORD

S450 more for your trade based on avg. black book value less mileage, appearance and reconditioning. Applies to trades S5000 and above. Price includes
rebates. Sale ends 6 pm, Fri., Nov. 22, 1991, 6 p.m. 24 months with 10% down. 15,000 miles per year limit. 11' per mile excess. Closed end lease. Leasee responsible
for excess wear & tear, subject to 4% use tax. To get total pymts. on lease multiply pymt by # of months. With approved credit.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

55