A proud American Eagle

CORY SCHNEIDER May turn pro

Last year, a week after Boston College lost to Wisconsin in the NCAA title game, Cory Schneider got a surprising call.

It was USA Hockey, offering him a spot alongside the NHL big boys for the IIHF World Championships.

"Taken aback," recalled the Marblehead native of the invite, which he declined (Craig Anderson, Jason Bacashihua, and David McKee were the final three goalies on the roster). "I hadn't even considered it. I was a little afraid, because I wasn't in the shape I wanted to be in and I wasn't prepared. I hadn't been on the ice for a week, so I thought if I went over there in those conditions, it might not do me a lot of good."

This year, one thing remained the same: Schneider and BC lost again in the championship match, this time to Michigan State.

But the difference is that this season, Schneider accepted USA Hockey's invitation and will be one of three goalies -- Carolina's John Grahame and Philadelphia's Robert Esche are the others -- to represent the Stars & Stripes in the 2007 Worlds April 27-May 13 in Moscow. Team USA, which also includes Bruins Andrew Alberts, Brandon Bochenski, and Phil Kessel, opens against Austria Friday. Ex-Bruins coach Mike Sullivan will be behind the Yanks' bench.

"When they called this time, I wasn't as stunned," said Schneider, one of two collegians (with Miami forward Nathan Davis) on the roster. "I'm excited. It's an honor to be thought of, especially as a college guy."

For Schneider, the Worlds could be a precursor to becoming a full-time professional. Schneider, who just completed his junior season, is property of the Vancouver Canucks (first-round pick in 2004) and is considered a top prospect.

This past season, Schneider played in all 42 of BC's games, posting a 29-12-1 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. The 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pounder, who turned 21 last month, started slowly but kicked his game into high gear during BC's 13-game winning streak.

As for turning pro, "I've thought about it a little bit," said Schneider, who's being advised by Octagon Athlete Representation. "I haven't decided one way or another. But I'm going to get my schoolwork done, then talk it over with the coaches, my parents, and Vancouver. If I feel I need to challenge myself against better players, that's what I'll have to do."

Schneider has been monitored closely by Vancouver. The Canucks got an up-close look in 2005-06 when he backstopped Team USA during the World Junior Championship in Vancouver. While they thought highly of Schneider then, assistant general manager Steve Tambellini said Schneider has improved each season and that goalie coach Ian Clark and director of player development Stan Smyl were impressed by the goalie's maturity.

"Either way, Cory is going to be successful," Tambellini said. "This is for Cory and his family to decide. If they feel he wants to finish his senior year, that's fine with us. If he decides he wants to pursue his pro career, then we can deal with that when the time comes."

One variable in Schneider's decision is the not-going-anywhere status of Roberto Luongo, whose starry 2006-07 season (47-22-6, 2.29 GAA, .921 save percentage) has made him a leading MVP candidate in the NHL. The 28-year-old appeared in 76 games and should see similar workloads for at least five more seasons if he remains injury-free. Dany Sabourin, Luongo's understudy, played in only nine games this season.

Because of Luongo's incumbency, Schneider could have more value on the market. Tambellini noted that it would be valuable for Schneider to serve as a No. 2 to Luongo, learning from one of the game's top goalies.

But Schneider acknowledged that he might never wear a Vancouver sweater if the Canucks can receive impact pieces in return.

"If I can compete with him in a few years, great," said Schneider of playing with Luongo. "But [a trade] could be a possibility. It's a business. You can't get upset or complain about where you're going. Whoever trades for you wants you and has a need for you. That's an encouraging sign.

"I understand how it works. If they see me as a trading chip and can get something in return for me, I can't see why they wouldn't pull the trigger."

Schneider also could return for his senior season, then wait until August 2008. If he doesn't sign with the Canucks before then, Schneider will become a free agent.

For now, however, he'll remain a student -- albeit one who requires an extended break from classes to compete overseas. Schneider, who worked out with Alberts, his former BC teammate, at Ristuccia Arena last week, got as much schoolwork done beforehand and only needs to take several final exams upon his return.

"I understand my role," Schneider said of sharing the net with Grahame and Esche. "They're at a much higher stage than I am. If I don't get any ice time, I can't complain.

"I'm excited to go over there, see the environment, and work with professionals. I'm not saying I'm not going to compete, work hard, and do my best. I'll be there to compete and try to win a job. If it doesn't work out, no complaints."

Tackling a New York giant

Northeastern coach Greg Cronin, an assistant on Long Island during three of Zdeno Chara's four New York years, recalled a game in 1998-99 against Florida, a team that featured rumblers like Peter Worrell, Paul Laus, and Scott Mellanby.

"Everybody's trying to run him over, thinking, 'Here's this circus freak. He's so big, let's run him over and see what he's made of,' " remembered Cronin. "After the first period, he's like, 'What the heck? Everybody keeps running me.' I tell him, 'Zdeno, you're gonna have to stand up for yourself. You can't keep taking it.'

"Mind you, Laus was a scary dude back then. He's running about 225 back then. So he comes after him in the second. Zdeno picked him up and threw him down to the ice like a sack of potatoes. I remember Laus gets up laughing, thinking, 'What just happened to me?'

"Zdeno did that a lot. People would try and test him, but they'd realize, 'He could hurt me.' He could hurt somebody badly."

It's a sight Bruins fans didn't see often enough this season. Cronin, however, said that even then, Chara's work ethic was unchallenged, and that as a lead-by-example player, the Boston captain was a significant presence in the young Islanders' development.

During one offseason, then-general manager Mike Milbury had youngsters such as Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt come in for minicamp. While veterans like Kenny Jonsson and Claude Lapointe weren't expected to attend, Milbury -- with little persuasion needed -- had Chara attend as well.

"He was the guy that we used as a role model and bait to get more kids to come," Cronin said. "He worked so hard. He was so determined to be a pace-setter."

Ex-BC winger feels fit for duty

In early September, when Chris Collins looked around the dressing room at Ristuccia Arena, he saw men, not college boys.

"Every guy looks like a Greek god," recalled Collins.

By his own admission, Collins's body type didn't qualify as such. The ex-Boston College winger, one of three finalists for the 2005-06 Hobey Baker Award (San Jose rookie defenseman Matt Carle won it), arrived at Bruins camp out of shape.

Collins, who weighed in at approximately 205 pounds during his senior season, spent most of this season with the ECHL's Long Beach Ice Dogs, recording an 18-19--37 line in 51 games.

But the number Collins was most proud of is 30: the pounds he shed during the year.

"The biggest thing for me this year was learning about the conditioning, getting into good habits, eating right," said Collins, who's dropped fried foods, sweets, and soft drinks from his diet. "You look at every guy around, especially up in Boston. Every guy is chiseled and cut up. College is a lot about bulking up and getting bigger. In pro, everyone is lean and fit."

On April 12, Collins, under contract for one more season with the Bruins, was promoted to Providence to serve as a depth forward for the playoffs. In 2007-08, he will be competing for a full-time job in the AHL, where he believes he can be the same type of player who scored 34 goals in his senior season in college.

"Senior year, I transferred into a scoring and playmaking role," said Collins. "I think I fit in pro. The game's changed. It's fast and quick. I feel I have the speed and the skill to be a scorer at this level. Just a matter of time."

Etc.

Moscow calling
For Brant Berglund, the housework must wait until May. The Bruins video coordinator, who worked for Mike Sullivan in 2005-06, will reunite with his former boss for the World Championships in Moscow. The Boston University grad acknowledged some logistical concerns -- different voltage in Russia, unfamiliarity with arenas -- but said he'll perform similar duties for Team USA that he did for the Bruins. "I'm ecstatic," said Berglund, who planned to convene in Chicago today with the rest of the team's staff, which includes Bruins trainer Don DelNegro. "Can't wait to get over there."

Finnish flash
Exhibit A on how fickle young goalies can be: Kari Lehtonen, the 23-year-old Atlanta Thrasher. The 6-foot-4-inch, 200-pound Finn, who's a year older than countryman Hannu Toivonen, started the season on a blistering pace (two shutouts in his first three starts), but he and the Thrashers flamed out in four games against the Rangers. Lehtonen, with little help from his turnstile defense, allowed 11 goals on 73 shots (5.58 GAA, .869 save percentage), including all of them in a 7-0 embarrassment at Madison Square Garden -- boy, that sounds familiar -- in Game 3. The Thrashers would be ill-advised to jettison Lehtonen, just as letting Toivonen go would be a rash move for the Bruins.

Heartache for Duchesne
Val-d'Or, the Quebec Major Junior League club that features Bruins prospect Brad Marchand, kicked off its semifinal showdown against Cape Breton Friday. It's a happy time for the youngsters, but not for goalie Jeremy Duchesne, whose father, Gaetan, the former NHLer, died last Monday after a heart attack. During the regular season, the 20-year-old Jeremy Duchesne, who is Philadelphia property (fourth-round pick in 2005), posted a 25-25 record with a 3.33 GAA and an .897 save percentage.

Mike Barnett was the first general manager to fall this offseason. Then Columbus fired Doug MacLean, creating two spots (Atlanta's Don Waddell might be on the hot seat, too, after the first-round sweep). There's been significant turnover in GM jobs around the league, with Peter Chiarelli (Boston), Francois Giguere (Colorado), Randy Sexton (Florida), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh), Garth Snow (New York), and Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia) all serving a year or less in their current jobs. Vancouver's Steve Tambellini, who is No. 2 man to Maine grad Dave Nonis, could be a candidate to take over a top job. "My focus right now," said Tambellini, "is going deep in the playoffs."

On March 14, after completing his four-year career at Niagara, Sean Bentivoglio signed an amateur tryout contract with Providence. What happened next was almost beyond belief, as the forward scored 14 points in 15 games, helping the P-Bruins qualify for the postseason. "If he doesn't come in," said coach Scott Gordon, "we might not even make the playoffs. He had 13 points in 13 games, and that was totally unexpected. Where are we if we don't have him? I don't know." The 21-year-old Bentivoglio, who scored Providence's only goal in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to Hartford, had 46 points in 37 games this season for Niagara. He considered other teams, but he signed with Providence because of the chance to make the playoffs. "The first couple games, it was a little faster," Bentivoglio said. "But I've been playing with great players, which definitely makes it a lot easier."

Brian Boyle, who signed a two-year deal with Los Angeles last Monday, concluded his BC career on the blue line. But the 6-7 Boyle has been playing center for Manchester, LA's AHL affiliate. In Manchester's 5-2 opening-round win over Worcester, Boyle was a plus-1. "I really think his versatility will be a great factor with the Kings," said BC coach Jerry York. "If they feel that Jack Johnson can fill their needs on defense, Brian can play as a forward. If they feel Brian can join the defensive corps, that's two ways to make it. That's very rare for any players at that level. I really feel defense might be the best spot for him." . . . Bruin Phil Kessel could earn a $212,500 bonus -- which would count against his cap number -- if he is named to the All-Rookie Team. But given the first-year play of Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal and Colorado's Paul Stastny, Kessel's a long shot . . . P.J. Axelsson expects to have the cast removed from his fractured left wrist sometime in the next two weeks, according to agent Neil Abbott . . . In past seasons, Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden drew the spotlight on defense in Ottawa. But defensive-minded Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov showed their worth, shutting down Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh's No. 1 line in their first-round victory over the Penguins. In the series finale Thursday, both had monster games. Phillips threw six hits and blocked five shots, while Volchenkov had three hits and five blocked shots. Total in the five games: 36 hits and 30 blocked shots between the two. Wisely, the Senators signed the pair to extensions this month . . . Former Bruins coach Pat Burns, who has been battling colon cancer, told the Newark-Star Ledger that he feels healthy and wants to return to coaching. Burns could possibly take over the New Jersey bench next season from GM Lou Lamoriello. "The Devils are still in my heart," said Burns. "Everybody wants to know if I can come back and coach. I don't know. I don't hold the cards. Those would be decisions we'd have to make together."

Fluto Shinzawa's e-mail address is fshinzawa@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.