VOORHEES, NJ — Brad Snetsinger has taken a pretty quick route to becoming one of the top prospects in the New Jersey Devils system. Not too bad for a player who went undrafted in prior NHL Entry Drafts.
Snetsinger did however attend a Colorado Avalanche rookie camp in August of 2007, a move that helped set him up for his arrival in the Devils organization. In December 2007, while playing for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Snetsinger was signed by the New Jersey Devils. “I guess I was a little bit surprised,” Snetsinger said after the Trenton Devils game against the Johnstown Chiefs on December 12. “I went to Colorado’s camp that year. I talked to a few teams and figured if I had a good year I’d get a couple offers.” Snetsinger definitely had a good season in 2007-08. After scoring 29 goals and 33 assists for Windsor in 2006-07, he put up career numbers last season with 37 goals and 52 assists, which are the kinds of numbers that an offensively starved organization looks for in a prospect. Snetsinger is quite happy to be in the Devils fold. 
“I definitely like it here,” Snetsinger said. “It’s a great organization no matter where you’re playing. They take care of you well and it’s great hockey.” Snetsinger professional career got off to a slow start after being assigned to Lowell in the AHL. He suited up for the Lowell opener October 8th in Providence before sitting out the next three games. In his third game back in the lineup Snetsinger tallied his first professional goal on October 29th against the Manchester Monarchs. After playing in four of the next eight games, Snetsinger again was on the scratch list and ended up being sent to Trenton on December 4. The demotion was taken the way most rookies would take it. “Yeah, I was a little disappointed,” Snetsinger said. “You want to play obviously at the highest level that you can.” 
Snetsinger has received more playing time in Trenton and has responded well. In 12 games with the T-Devils (Through January 5), Snetsinger has chipped in four goals and four assists. The start is nothing new for Snetsinger. It reminded him of his start in junior hockey. “It definitely took me a while to get going in juniors,” Snetsinger said. “Hopefully it doesn’t take me as long here.” With a good finish to the current season, and a strong camp, Snetsinger could make a run at a spot on the NHL Devils next season. He certainly enjoyed his time in the New Jersey camp this past September. “It was great, they’ve got a great team,” Snetsinger said of the Devils. “A bunch of great guys, it was neat to be on the ice with them.” Snetsinger hopes it’s even more fun in future seasons. Contact the author at tom.hoffman@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at brian.mechling@prohockeynews.com
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