Cory Schneider was exhausted yesterday morning. He came off the ice at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena, leaned against the wall, and said so. “Wow,” he exhaled, “I’m exhausted.”

He didn’t look tired at all. He looked pretty fresh, actually, considering his commute to practice was upwards of 20 hours long. With a tentative agreement between the NHL and NHLPA still fresh news, Schneider had ended his brief stint in the Swiss Elite League, spent a calendar day in airports and commercial jets, hopped to the gym for a workout, then participated in a practice in full goalie gear with his Canucks teammates. Hell, I’m winded after writing that paragraph.

But as tired as he professed to be, Schneider looked good. And he gamely answered questions for reporters — some of those questions several times — for nearly 30 minutes before they allowed him to hit the showers. There were the obligatory queries about the Roberto Luongo saga. He was asked about the lockout, the potential end to it, and his thoughts on fan revolt. And he took questions on the Swiss League, European travel and Italian food.

One TV reporter asked him if he’ll soon be taking over the @strombone1 Twitter account.

Some of those answers, and a few more pictures after the jump.

How did your first [practice] back feel after a hectic travel day yesterday?
Yeah, I’m pretty exhausted, I didn’t have a lot in the tank there toward the end. I got in a workout this morning, which took a little out of me, and a good skate, but I felt I wanted to be with my teammates, and get back with them. Hopefully I’ll go rest up after this.

You said you did a workout before the team skate?
I woke up at about four, the time difference is still getting me. It was a 20-hour travel day yesterday, so I’m pretty beat. But I’m excited to be back, so I’m hoping that’ll push me forward here.

How important was it to get some game action in playing over in Switzerland?
It was great! It was great to start. The style is very different over there, so after a while it started to catch up to me, and I started to see some differences. I felt I was going to try to come home, just to get back into the North American rhythm, even before the lockout was settled. Fortunately the deal was done.

It wasn’t the North American game, but was it close to what you’re used to seeing?
It’s a tremendously skilled league, there are a lot of skilled guys over there. It’s just not as physical. It’s not so much the angles that change, it’s the style of play. Guys have more room and time and space to operate. Here it’s a lot of pass and shoot, but there guys might have a little extra time to make another play, or pick their shots. It took me a while to get that patience down, and once I did it felt more comfortable. It was a great league and I had a lot of fun over there.

How different is it going to be with this compressed schedule? Both the pressure to get off to a good start, but also the expectations after you had such a good season last year?
Yeah, it’s going to be important, for sure, you can’t afford to have a bad stretch over an extended period of time. Ten games is 20% of your season, so we’ve got to make sure we focus on every game, one at a time, or maybe take them in groups of five, something like that. I think we as a group are smart and savvy enough that we can realize the significance  of every game this season and try to make the most of it.

Do you think there’s any additional pressure on you because you’re expected to be the guy, and a deal for Roberto [Luongo] to be made?
I don’t think so. I’ve felt pressure every single game I’ve played in this city, whether I feel like I’m a starting goalie every game I’ve played or not. I think pressure comes from within. It’s whatever you make of it. If you try to placate, and do what other people want you to do, you’re going to feel nervous. If you try to meet your own expectations, then I think that’s what motivates you. I can tell you that my expectations are much higher than anybody else’s, so I feel pretty good going into the season.

What did you get out of your Swiss experience?
It’s something you may never experience again. It’s a different culture, a different lifestyle. I haven’t had the opportunity to go to Europe too often, and it’s not just the hockey, but the people you meet and the people you see that you might otherwise have not. I tried to make it a dual experience where I could enjoy it off the ice as well. My main focuse, of course, was hockey, and I feel that I accomplished that.

Did you stay in contact with Roberto over the summer and during the lockout?
Yeah, we were in touch. We’re in a fantasy league together, so there was a little bit of back and forth there. When I was in Switzerland, I didn’t have my cel phone up and running, so I could really contact anybody. But we got in touch when I got home, and it’s good to hear from him. I’m looking forward to seeing him when he comes out.

How uncomfortable do you find the situation if he’s not traded?
There’s no discomfort at all. He and I are friends as well as teammates, so having him around is not going to be any different than it’s always been. Honestly, it’s very rarely awkward, or uncomfortable moments, or tension, it’s having an answer about it all the time is what causes a distraction. I know you guys are doing your jobs, and it’s a story, but he and I are fine. We’ve been very open with each other about this the whole time, and I think he’s been a world-class guy about it, the way he’s handled and responded to what could be a very difficult situation.

Do you make light of it with him, or just not talk about it?
No, we talk about it. We don’t joke around about it, because it’s a pretty serious matter, but we’re pretty honest with each other. He’s been a great friend and mentor to me, and I hope this gets resolved in a way that suits both him and the club with the best possible outcome for everybody. We’re mature, responsible professionals and I think whatever happens, we’ll be able to handle it.

There’s a couple hundred guys playing in Europe, and 500 not, so I don’t know much of an advantage or disadvantage it is. As a goalie, with timing, does it put you ahead having played over there?
I like to think so, it’s the game experience and almost more of a mental exercise. To prepare yourself mentally, and get that adrenaline going for a game, it’s just not something you can re-create in practice. As far as results, I wasn’t as worried about the end so much as the process, and making sure mentally I was in the place I wanted to be. Towards the end in Switzerland, I think I was getting a little antsy and distracted, wanting to come back and seeing what would happen here. I’m a little disappointed in that, because I don’t think I played my best the last couple of games there. I’m excited to be back, and hopefully I won’t miss a beat.

With a compressed schedule, what rate of games would you like to play this year?
I have no idea. We haven’t seen a schedule yet. I’m sure the coaches have gone over it. We have to see where we’re going, travel, all that stuff factors into it, so I can’t really put a number on that right now.

Do you think anyone will play 48?
I’d be amazed if they did, and hats off to them if it happens. I think it’s going to be a tough haul. Maybe there’s a couple of guys in the league who could, but from the team’s point of view, you might not want to put that kind of fatigue on your starting goalie.

When you were in the AHL, the Moose sometimes played three games in three nights. Did you ever see that kind of ice, or did you always get nights off in those situations?
I can’t remember, to be honest, it’s been a long time. I think I have played four in five, even, one time, a couple three in threes, and when I got to Switzerland I played four in seven. It’s all good, sometimes you just get out there, and you feel better the more you play, so however often they want to throw me out there, I’ll be ready to go.

The level of displeasure from fans is higher than what it’s been in the past. Do you understand fans’ revolt, or fans’ unhappiness? Are they entitled to that?
Of course. They’re absolutely entitled to feel whatever they want, and have those opinions. It was an unfortunate series of events that just occurred. We can’t pretend like it never happened, because it clearly stunted the growth and a few other aspects of this game. We’re going to have to work hard — both the players and the league — to convince fans that we’re worth watching again. This is entirely [fans’] decision. As players, we’re just hoping that we can do what we do, that we can go out and entertain to the best of our ability, and they find it appealing enough that they choose to watch.

What are you looking forward to the most?
I think just being with your teammates and your friends, and being in an environment that you’re familiar with and enjoy. Like I said, it was a great experience over there, but after a certain amount of time, you get ready to come home and you want to get started with what you’re accustomed to.