Canucks’ Schneider signs in Swiss league

Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider has agreed to a lockout deal with Ambri-Piotta of Switzerland’s National League “A”, according to the team website.

The move, while rumored for weeks, is certainly interesting from a players’ union perspective.

Schneider, 26, is Vancouver’s NHLPA rep and has been candidly outspoken about the current work stoppage:

See:

Canucks’ Schneider on decertification: “It’s a very serious decision”

Schneider thinks NHL will blink on contract rights

Schneider on first CBA offer: “We’re not panicking”

Adding to the surprise? Two weeks ago, Schneider had also reportedly “given up” on playing in Europe and seemed committed to sticking in North American until a new CBA had been reached.

Now it appears that’s no longer the case.

The former Boston College standout — who holds both U.S. and Swiss citizenship — will join an Ambri-Piotta side that’s had mixed results with NHL imports.

Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty played just five games for the struggling club before abruptly returning to North America, yet ex-NHLers Jason Williams and Richard Park have been revelations for the team — Williams leads all scorere with 20 points while Park sits in fourth, with 15.

Schneider is coming off his best year in Vancouver that saw him post career-highs across the board: 33 games, 20-8-1 record, .937 save percentage and 1.96 GAA.

He supplanted longtime No. 1 goalie Roberto Luongo in an opening-round playoff loss to Los Angeles and proceeded to sign a three-year, $12 million extension with the club in June.

Update: The Province’s Ben Kuzma sheds some light on Schneider’s thought process for signing overseas…

Schneider just prior to Swiss decision: “Two months in [lockout] and at some point I really want to play — here or abroad — and stay sharp.”

— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) November 28, 2012