Schriner was born in Saratov in the Russian Empire; however, his family emigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada when he was a month old.

They were impressed with his skating ability and signed him to a contract to play for their International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Stars.

[1] He quickly emerged as an offensive star; he was third in scoring among players in the Canadian Division at the midway point of the season.

[9] The game was a fundraiser to support the family of Howie Morenz, a Montreal Canadiens star who died due to complications following a broken leg suffered the previous season.

[9] After five seasons in New York, the Americans dealt Schriner to the Maple Leafs in May 1939 in exchange for five players: Jimmy Fowler, Busher Jackson, Murray Armstrong, Doc Romnes and Buzz Boll.

[13] Frustrated by what he felt was too much individualism in the game, Schriner contemplated retiring from professional hockey in favour of taking up a coaching position in Alberta's senior league.

[15] Schriner again announced his intention to leave the game in June 1943, this time citing past injuries to his knee and dissatisfaction with Leafs' owner Conn Smythe's contract offer for the following season.

[3] Following the local season, Schriner signed with the Vancouver St. Regis of the Pacific Coast Hockey League for their playoff run.

He scored nine points in three games before a protest by the team's opponent resulted in both his and Vancouver's suspension by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA).

[3][20] Schriner and the Capitals won the WCSHL and Western Canadian championships,[21] but fell to the Ottawa Senators in the 1949 Allan Cup final.

That includes everybody: Frank Mahovlich, Busher Jackson, Bobby Hull, everybody" Schriner was a durable player for much of his career.

[25] He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962,[2] and the Canada West Universities Athletic Association awards the David "Sweeney" Schriner Trophy to its top scorer each season.