By Tim Morris
Félix Schnell always wanted to play goalie. Since he started watching hockey – Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price in particular – on television there was something about the position.
“I fell in love with playing goalie,” he recalled.
An imposing 6-3, the position is a perfect fit for the Ottawa Junior Senators rookie net-minder.
Using the butterfly technique, the 17-year-old does not give shooters many openings to go after. He’s a fortress.
“I use my size and I work on minimizing rebounds,” said the Orleans, ON native of his approach to his job.
Goalies need something else, a very short memory. They have to put a goal against behind them quickly and not dwell on it.
“The big thing at this level is that you can’t think about (a surrendered goal),” Schnell pointed out. “You have to stay calm.”
Throughout his career from Bantam to Midget to Junior A in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) with Ottawa, Schnell’s goals against average has always been under 3.00.
That’s what brought him to the attention of Head Coach & GM Martin Dagenais who brought Schnell on board this season.
For the youngster, who is still in high school, it was quite a jump to the CCHL. Playing for a successful organization, however, made the leap much easier.
“I’m very happy to be with this organization,” said Schnell. “It’s been really great. I like being with the guys. They’re very professional. There’s a reason everyone wants to play for OJS.”
The players have taken the newcomer under their wing and he has learned why the Junior Senators are defending Fred Page and Bogart Cup champions.
“Every time you’re on the ice you have to go as hard as you can, so as to keep on improving,” said Schnell, who added that practice is treated as being every bit as important as a game.
Although he is the back-up goalie, Schnell treats every game like he was starting.
“We’re (goalies) on the ice early every game talking,” said Schnell. “I’ve created a new pre-game routine. I prepare for every game as if I was playing.”
Schell has appeared in 19 games and has posted a 9-5-2 record along with a 2.82 goals against average and a 0.891 save percentage.
When he’s not playing, Schnell is an attentive student.
“I watch the game and learn,” he explained.
As a 12th grader, Schnell is juggling school time and hockey. What’s unique about being in high school, Schnell reported is that “my friends come to games.”
Like many of his teammates in Ottawa, Schnell’s goal is to play Division I hockey in college. In the meantime, Schnell’s goal is to be part of another Ottawa championship team.
