From the Shadows to the Spotlight: Sirens’ Corinne Schroeder is putting her name among world’s elite
When you think of the best goaltenders in women’s hockey, you might come up with easy names such as Ann-Renée Desbiens, Aerin Frankel and Emerance Maschmeyer.
However, one netminder is quietly adding her name to the list.
Corinne Schroeder has been one of the main reasons for the New York Sirens’ success this season and is one of the top goaltenders in the PWHL. Yet, it wasn’t long ago that Schroeder wasn’t high on the public’s radar.
When the PWHL first took to the ice last season, many wondered if players from the Premier Hockey Federation could hang with the PWHPA, which featured most of the Canadian and U.S. National Team players. Schroeder was one of those players joining the new league from the PHF, despite having an incredible season with the Boston Pride, where she posted an incredible 15-1-0 record and earned Goaltender and Rookie of the Year honors.
Yet, the whispers of whether Schroeder and other former players from the PHF could stand out in the new league, which she admits gave her a little extra motivation.
“I wasn’t immune to hearing all that chatter,” Schroeder said in an exclusive interview with DFO. “Even going into training camp, I had to earn my contract…it was pretty stressful. Just trying to prove in such little time what I can bring.”
Schroeder caught many off guard by holding off a mighty Toronto squad in the PWHL’s first game on New Year’s Day, posting a shutout. Donning her old Pride mask for the first part of the season, she helped erase the alleged gap between the former leagues.
“Definitely misconceptions there between the PHF and the PWHPA. I think overall, things have now settled, and people have really been able to show what they can do. I think it’s awesome that we have one [league], so we can actually, in some senses, make comparisons a little bit easier.”
That set the tone for an impressive season for the Elm Creek, Manitoba native, even though the team in front of her struggled. New York ended up finishing last with just nine wins in year one, with Schroeder scoring seven of them. She also posted a .930 save percentage that was second in the league and was named a finalist for Goaltender of the Year.
Along with the exceptional first season, Schroeder was named to the Canadian National Team roster for the first time during the first window of the 2023-24 Rivalry Series. It was Schroeder’s first bit of international experience since she was on Team Canada at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship.
Schroeder admits that despite Canada producing numerous quality puckstoppers, she felt like she had the potential to wear the Maple Leaf.
“I think in college, my thought was definitely that I would maybe have a shot, but I had maybe a lot more confidence and a little less humility back then,” Schroeder chuckled. “I’ve always had my eyes on playing for the national team, especially trying to make the roster for Italy in 2026.”
Unfortunately, she wasn’t listed as the No. 3 netminder for the final window last February. Kristen Campbell of the Toronto Sceptres, who was named the best in the PWHL, was added to the roster and stayed on at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.
However, that didn’t deter Schroeder heading into the PWHL’s second season. The 25-year-old has posted even better numbers than she did in the first season. Behind an improved Sirens roster, Schroeder is staking her claim as a goalie of the year candidate again while embarking on a playoff battle with her team.
In 10 appearances, the former Quinnipiac star has a 6-3-1 record, tied for second in the league in wins. Schroeder is second in the league in SV% (.933), saves (280) and shots against (300), along with a 1.98 GAA that places her third in the PWHL.
After being held off the roster for the first three games of this year’s Rivalry Series, Schroeder played her way back onto the Team Canada roster. She recognizes the platform displayed by the PWHL has given many around the league the ability to earn their spot on their respective national teams.
“I’ve been playing some really great hockey recently, so it’s really nice to be acknowledged for that. Having the PWHL is fantastic in that sense that we can have a ton of game opportunities to showcase our skills, and really earn our spots on those national rosters.”
Though it’s unlikely that she’ll play in one of the final two games with Desbiens and Maschmeyer ahead of her, her play isn’t only giving her the chance to partake in the annual event against the United States, but it might lead to a spot on the roster at the upcoming IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Schroeder admits she’s taking things day by day, trying to stay focused on helping the Sirens qualify for the postseason. However, making the cut heading into the most prominent annual tournament in women’s hockey would be an incredible experience.
“It would be an honor to make that team and have that opportunity. It would be fantastic…So, I’m not looking too far ahead at the moment. Hopefully, down the road, things will be looking up in that sense, but I’m not trying to get ahead of myself.”
The Canadian roster is a difficult one to crack, and finding time in the crease with Desbiens and Mascmeyer ahead of her isn’t easy either. However, with how Schroeder has played in her young pro career, it might not be too long before she finally gets her first taste of international hockey.
The final two games of the Rivalry Series are later this week, as Canada hosts the U.S. in Halifax on Thursday before wrapping things up on Saturday in P.E.I. Canada leads the series 2-1; one more victory will help the country clinch the Rivalry Series for the third consecutive season.
The Sirens (4-3-2-5) went into the international break third in the PWHL, three points ahead of the fifth-place Boston Fleet, and 11 points behind the Montreal Victoire for first place. New York will return to play on Feb. 12 when they host the Fleet.
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