Everybody wants to make a good first impression, and if you’re a goaltender this means stopping pucks and giving your team a chance to win.
When Corinne Schroeder stepped onto the ice to for her Premier Hockey Federation debut, she did all of that and more by posting a record three-straight shutout victories to launch her professional career.
“It definitely did not cross my mind that that’s how my season would start and how our season would start, but I’m happy it did,” the Boston Pride netminder said. “It’s not something I would have guessed. Shutouts are taboo to think about. You just think about getting the best result and focusing on the next shot, the next play, and not worrying about the future but just playing in the moment. That’s where I was at, and at the end of the game there were no mistakes.”
Schroeder stopped all 36 shots she faced in a 4-0 victory over the Connecticut Whale in a rematch of last season’s final, and then turned aside all 27 to blank the Metropolitan Riveters in a 2-0 triumph that earned her first star honors across the PHF’s opening weekend. Her shutout streak continued on the road against Minnesota with 49 saves to beat the Whitecaps 2-0, followed by a 5-4 overtime victory to stay unbeaten through four games.
“The first game was nice to get that start for the home opener. I was excited but still quite a bit nervous because it was something new, something different. I hadn’t experienced playing at this level, especially against such a good team, so that was a bit nerve-racking. But I got into the swing of things pretty easily. I think there was a lot of shots both ways so it was engaging which is always nice as a goalie. Sometimes it’s really difficult to stay in a game if you aren’t getting a shot for a few minutes here or there and you end of losing that focus. My teammates did a really good job in front of me, blocking shots and making sure we executed our breakouts and everything.”
Now a member of the defending champions, the 23-year-old had no shortage of pre-game inspiration as the team opened their 2022-23 campaign with the unveiling of a third Isobel Cup banner and second in a row.
“It’s amazing to be back-to-back champions and it was a special moment that I’m glad I was able to share with my teammates who had been a part of that,” she said. “It was exciting, and a good way to start the season with motivation to make it happen again.”
The season is still early but the Pride are well on their way to being a contender once again, and Schroeder will be a big part of their success. She may be new to the league, but she’s no stranger to Beantown having spent four years as a Boston Terrier before finishing her NCAA career at Quinnipiac.
“I feel like coming back to Boston has been really good. It’s nice to be back in the city and see different parts of it now. It’s different than just staying on campus all the time. Joining a new team has been exciting and everyone has been super welcoming. All of our newcomers have felt the same. It’s been a really good entrance for us into the league and with the team.”
Schroeder was a top-3 finalist for NCAA Goaltender of the Year last season with the Bobcats and finished her career with a program record 73-save performance in a double overtime loss to top ranked Ohio State in the regional final. She’s also notorious for being the first goaltender to score a goal in NCAA women’s hockey history last September against Maine. Now as a pro, she is already benefitting from the competition she’s facing in games as well as in practices with her fellow Pride.
“It is a step up from college. Everyone is a bit faster, especially Allie Thunstrom,” Schroeder said. “Playing against her in practice every day I’m like ‘wow that is a speed I’ve never seen before’. We have quite a few people on our team with shots that have taken me a few weeks to adjust to, like Loren Gabel and Élizabeth Giguère. I think I’m at that point now. It is a step up and one I’m glad I’ve had some time to take.”
Schroeder is one of seven first-year players for Boston and five who have turned pro straight from college. She rooms with fellow newcomer Taylor House and Olivia Zafuto, and leans on the experience of a former PHF Goaltender of the Year and back-to-back champion as she takes her own game to the next level.
“Lovisa Selander is an amazing goaltending partner and we’ve hit it off right away which I love. Sometimes goalies can be extra competitive and that sort of destroys any friendship you could have, but I’ve been lucky that we’ve been pretty close so far.”
When asked to describe herself in three words, Schroeder chooses calm, consistent, and athletic, which is an accurate assessment of her play in the PHF thus far. Even though she posted 14 shutouts over the course of her five NCAA seasons, she notes the toll it often took on her mentally.
“I feel like in college it was something I struggled with,” she says of her shutout history. “Not because shutouts are something you should get or are easy to get, but just the mental piece of everything. My shutouts have always brought anxiety during the last ten minutes to try and hang on.”
Strengthening the mental part of her game has been an area of focus for Schroeder, and something that has come together for her at the right time in this new phase of her career.
“I’m adding a little extra time to prep mentally before the game and make sure I’m focused and ready to go by the time the puck drops. Taking more time to visualize and to really go over every possible save that could be made, and making sure I’m confident that I know what to do in all situations before I even step on the ice.”
A change in her mindset comes in part to a new professional environment that has allowed her to prioritize her hockey.
“In college you don’t always have that time, or you’re stressed about school or catching up on classes you missed because you were travelling,” she said. “I think part of that weighed heavily on my mind. Now I have a little extra time and a little less stress there mentally. I have this extra time and freedom to really put my mind towards the game and getting prepared properly.”
The Elm Creek, Manitoba native grew up on a farm with four siblings with the dream of playing pro hockey. By the time she started her collegiate career at BU the PHF was in its third season.
“It was always on my mind that I would have options after college and I wouldn’t have to quit immediately after. Hockey doesn’t have to be just a way to get an education. There are more opportunities out there and it’s comforting that you don’t have to completely re-adjust to a new job after college, or retire from hockey, which would be a tough thing.”
As Schroeder continues stopping pucks, there’s no stopping the personal goals she can achieve. She still strives to fulfill her dream of representing Canada at the highest level internationally, and hopes to further her development with regular competition over the course of the PHF schedule.
“I think that was one of the main draws for me with the PHF. There’s a long season of more than 20 games, and I would end up playing a good number. I really need the game experience. That was a big piece of my decision this year.”
Schroeder and the Pride return to action this weekend with home games November 26-27 at Warrior Ice Arena against the second place Toronto Six.
Cover photo by Kayla Franz
