Schiavo Scores Sick Goal, ECHL Contract

By Cory Wright

John Schiavo became a viral sensation in July, as he scored a pair of beautiful shootout goals at the New York Islanders Blue and White Scrimmage at Barclays Center.

You remember the goals. There was the lacrosse-style goal, where he cradled the puck up and over the goalie before dropping it into the net, followed by the between-the-legs dangle and the one-handed finish for the encore. 

Schiavo’s goals caused an instant fervor. First, the retweets and the favorites rolled in, and then the highlights were picked up by CBS Sports, Vice Sports, as well as The Score, a Canadian sports network. And now, a contract: Schiavo signed with the Missouri Mavericks, the Islanders ECHL affiliate, on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

“It was awesome seeing the contract finally announced,” Schiavo said. “My whole family is pumped up; it’s awesome. The rink looks beautiful. I’m just excited to get out there; I’ve heard a ton of great things.”

While he was on Mavericks Head Coach Richard Matvichuk’s radar before the highlight-reel goals, the display definitely left an impression.

“Hey, he’s gifted,” Matvichuk said. “For him to have the confidence to do it, good on him. It was a fantastic move. I just sat behind the bench and started laughing. That’s something back in the day I couldn’t do.”

Schiavo said he’s still hearing about his night at Barclays.

“The reaction was amazing from the fans in the crowd,” the 21-year-old said. “It was going viral on social media as well. My phone was blowing up for about a month.”

There is a path for Schiavo to return to Barclays Center, if he can play his way up through the ranks from ECHL Missouri to the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, then to Brooklyn. It’s an exciting prospect for the East Patchogue, NY native and Islanders fan.

“Barclays was awesome,” the newest Maverick said. “The setup was great, everything is brand new, lockers like that and I think it’ll be a great year for the Islanders.”

Right now, Schiavo’s deke is the move to beat on Atlantic Ave., but now we’re expecting some pretty sweet moves to come out of Missouri this season.