Nate Schnarr is more than five months removed from his days as a standout forward with the OHL champion Guelph Storm.

But as the 20-year-old Waterloo native builds on his pro career as a rookie with the AHL Tucson Roadrunners, his thoughts are with retired Guelph trainer Russ (Rusty) Hammond. The Storm will honour Hammond before its game against the Saginaw Spirit on Nov. 16. 

 

"He's an amazing person," Schnarr said. "When I was cut at 16 and didn't make the Storm, I still would practice with them every Tuesday. It was nerve-wracking for me. But Russ made me feel at ease.

 

"He has a smile that makes you feel welcome, and you could talk to him about anything. He is so knowledgable about any topic or subject. But it was that smile that made you at ease. He's a Guelph Sports Hall of Famer for a reason."

 

While Hammond's long and storied career concluded with the Storm's OHL championship and subsequent trip to the Memorial Cup final last spring, Schnarr is a month and seven games into his pro career with the AHL Tucson Roadrunners. The 2017 third-round draft selection (75th overall) of the Phoenix Coyotes is finding his way.

 

He's still searching for his first goal. He's had to overcome a minor injury that caused him to miss four games. But the Roadrunners have been purring. They're 8-3-0 for the sixth-best record in the league.

 

"It's been an adjustment," Schnarr said. "You go from living with a billet family to taking the next step, cooking your own meals and being more independent. Pro hockey is tough.

 

"But the main takeaway for me is you have to be willing to work hard, and you have to be willing to spend extra time to improve, whether that is staying after practice to work on something, watch video or spending extra time in the gym."

 

Schnarr has plenty of role models in Tucson. The team's leading goal scorer Lane Pederson of Saskatoon, is one of the Roadrunner's hardest workers. Schnarr's roommate on the road, Michael Chaput, has been there to guide his younger teammate through the ups and downs of pro life.

 

"I'm trying to be like a sponge and take in as much as I can," Schnarr said.

 

The other aspect of pro life is being located in the Southwest U.S., two time zones and a continent away from his family in K-W. With the Storm, it was quite convenient for his family and close friends to travel east on Highway 7 to cheer him on in Guelph.

 

Now, he relies on facetime, texts and e-mails to keep everyone abreast of his transition in Tucson.

 

"I agree, it's a family affair," Schnarr said. "My Dad gives me updates on everything back home. But I don't look at all the attention as pressure. If anything, it's motivating to have all the interest and support."

 

After Guelph lost in the Memorial Cup final, the Storm returned home for a championship parade. Schnarr enjoyed the next three weeks to relax at the family cottage with family and friends before travelling to Arizona for a summer of hardcore training. He participated in a development camp in June, a rookie camp in early September, followed by his third training camp with the Coyotes.

 

He lives in a two-bedroom apartment with teammate Jeremy Gregoire in a building that houses three other Roadrunners. A few blocks down the street, eight other Tucson players live in another apartment complex.

 

The warm Arizona weather has allowed Schnarr to keep his golf game sharp, but hockey remains his focus. After playing such a prominent role for the Storm, Schnarr has to earn his ice time with his new team. 

 

"Last year was an amazing season to be a part of it," Schnarr said. "But now I'm a younger guy trying to earn my spot and trust in situations on the power play and penalty kill. I have to earn my playing time all over again."