Cory Schneider was a different kind of backup for the NY Islanders this weekend

Cory Schneider is a familiar face to New York Islanders fans, even if he only played in one NHL game in the three years he was with the organization. On Saturday night, fans tuning into the game on MSG Networks saw that familiar face again, this time in a new backup role, stepping in for Thomas Hickey as an analyst alongside gameday host Shannon Hogan.

This wasn't the plan for Schneider as late as this summer. We first learned that he would not be back in Bridgeport this season as the Islanders wanted to give more run to their younger goaltenders Jakub Skarek and eventually Tristan Lennox. The reports were that Schneider was going to pursue playing professional in Europe when things changed and he announced his retirement.

“I pushed it as far as I could,” Schneider told Newsday. “The last few years were great for me just to play the game, even at the American League level. Getting some call-ups with the Isles and getting that one game in two years ago was a great experience. I proved that I could still play at a good level".

“From a hockey standpoint, it was time. I wasn’t ready to continue chasing it just to satisfy my own needs or desires.”

Like Hickey, Schneider has also been appearing on the NHL Network as an analyst and looked as comfortable in front the camera as he did the net throughout his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and Islanders. The 37-year-old retired with a record of 171 wins and 159 losses in 410 games played. The 2016 All-Star had a 2.43 GAA and .918 save percentage.