Following a legend is perhaps the most daunting challenge in professional sports.

For Cory Schneider, who was tasked with replacing Martin Brodeur in the Devils’ crease, the pressure came with a constant, uncomfortable reminder from fans.

“Sometimes publicly, it’s ‘well, you’re not Marty Brodeur.’ And I kind of was like, ‘Yeah, I know. I’m trying to be me,’” Schneider revealed on a recent episode of NJ Advance Media’s Speaking of the Devils podcast.

This candid admission highlights the psychological burden of succeeding an icon whose shadow loomed large over the franchise.

What made Schneider’s situation particularly unique was that he wasn’t just replacing Brodeur after retirement — he was brought in while the future Hall of Famer was still on the team, creating an awkward transition period for both goaltenders.

“We had a good relationship. We had a good dynamic,” Schneider told Devils beat reporter Ryan Novozinsky. “He was at a point in his career where he still wanted to play and could play at that age, and I was at a point in my career where I was hungry for more and to become a full-time starting goalie. So, sometimes those two ambitions don’t overlap.”

Schneider understood early that attempting to replicate Brodeur’s style, accomplishments, or persona would be futile.

“He was his own unique unicorn in the hockey world. So, it’s a fool’s errand to try to become something that you’re not,” Schneider said, demonstrating remarkable self-awareness and maturity.

This wasn’t Schneider’s first experience backing up and eventually succeeding a star goaltender. His time in Vancouver alongside Roberto Luongo provided valuable preparation for the high-pressure situation in New Jersey.

“I think my time in Vancouver equipped me well. I came into a really intense hockey market, a Canadian market. A team that had Stanley Cup aspirations … and Roberto Luongo as well, now a Hall of Famer, just like Marty was,” Schneider noted. “So, I think that helped me in a lot of ways, just to understand what the dynamic was.”

Schneider’s approach to the impossible task was refreshingly balanced — showing proper reverence for Brodeur’s legacy while confidently establishing his own identity in the crease.

“I’m respectful of what Marty did and who he is and what he means to that organization, that fan base, but I was never going to be Marty no matter what I did,” he acknowledged. “Barring four Stanley Cups in my time there and multiple Vezinas and Jennings and all those records.”

The mental fortitude required to handle such constant comparison cannot be overstated. Every save Schneider made was measured against the impossible standard of the greatest Devil of all time, creating expectations that no goaltender could reasonably fulfill.

Despite these challenges, Schneider maintained his professional focus, posting impressive numbers during his tenure with New Jersey, including a .924 save percentage in his first full season with the club — statistical excellence that sometimes got overshadowed by the inescapable Brodeur comparisons.

For more insights into the psychological challenges of replacing a franchise icon and Schneider’s journey from promising prospect to veteran mentor, check out the full episode of the Speaking of the Devils podcast, where he opens up about his entire hockey journey with remarkable candor and perspective.

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