The New Jersey 87's are proud to announce that Everest Schneider has committed to play Division III hockey at Western New England University for the 2022-23 season.

Schneider, a 21-year-old forward from San Antonio, Texas, played two seasons with the 87's EHL team. He put up 11 points in the 2020-21 season as a rookie, and recorded 17 points (7g, 10a) in 25 regular-season games in the 2021-22 campaign. He also notched four goals and four assists in eight postseason games during the team's championship run this spring.

Head coach Adam Houli talked about Schneider's commitment and his tenure with the 87's EHL team.

"Last year he was a young player on the team and he just trusted the process. He knew we had a good team and he respected it, he showed up every day to get better," Houli said. "To me, he was really a big X-factor for us last year because he was relatively unknown, and any time he was in the lineup he could turn a head. This year I thought he accepted his job as being a guy who could be a top-six forward for us, and he did it tremendously well."

Western New England University is a Division III school located in Springfield, Mass. Competing in the Commonwealth Coast Conference, the Golden Bears are led by head coach Mike Young.

Schneider spoke about his commitment and what it means to join a program like Western New England. 

"It means a lot for me to land a commitment to a school like WNE. Coming out of San Antonio, it didn't seem like a realistic possibility to play NCAA hockey. The first time I met Coach Young, I knew it would be a good situation, and once I visited, my thoughts were confirmed. It's a great campus, a great coach and I'm very excited for the fall," Schneider said.

Coming into the 2021-22 season, Schneider was expected to be one of the main contributors for the 87's offense. He was sidelined for nearly three months with an injury, but returned to the lineup and lit up the scoresheet. He notched nine points in as many games to close out the regular season.

Schneider carried that momentum into the playoffs, recording eight points in as many postseason games. He scored twice in the Frozen Finals in Providence, RI, including the second goal of the championship game. Including the goal he scored in the 2021 Frozen Finals, Schneider is the current 87's leader with three goals in the Frozen Finals.

Houli also discussed Schneider's versatility, and how it will make him a successful college hockey player.

"He was another player who made us feel that we could make a run, and when Everest plays well you can see what he can do. He's got the ability to make a hockey play, he can put the puck in the back of the net, he is just a hard player to play against because he can adapt quickly to any role you need him to play in," Houli said.

Schneider reflected on his two seasons in New Jersey and how it got him ready for the NCAA level.

"I grew a lot as a hockey player with the 87's. I learned how to conduct myself like a pro and how to be a better teammate. Our practices were unique and I think it really showed in our play as a team, ultimately ending in a championship. I wouldn't trade anything for my two years with the 87's," Scheider said.

The 87's organization would like to congratulate Everest and his family as he gets ready to advance his hockey career to the Division III collegiate level.