PHILADELPHIA – On Monday of this week, the Philadelphia Flyers announced the loss of their owner, founder and emotional leader when Ed Snider passed.
Since he co-founded the Flyers in 1966, Mr. Snider has been, and will certainly always be, the heart and soul of the Flyers organization.
Mr. Snider had been dealing with bladder cancer for two years and over the last few months there had been a deterioration in his health.
Having been associated with the Flyers for years, I can say without hesitation that many on the Flyers bench took Mr. Snider as an inspiration and used his struggle to drive to their own play and effort.
The last weeks of the season saw the Flyers charge up the Metropolitan Division standings to earn a spot in this year’s playoffs.
Flyers general manager, Ron Hextall, on FOX Sports, lauded Mr Snider.
“He was a terrific owner,” Hextall said. “There was a certain professional relationship you had with him [as a player]. As I grew in my role here in Philly from assistant GM to GM two years ago, there was a different relationship.
“Whether it’s ironic or whether they saw how much the man cares about the franchise, it was really linked back to that day where we took off as a team. I think there was an extra push to get into the playoffs, no doubt. Our players care about Mr. Snider. I know there were phone calls and text messages from our players back and forth to Mr. Snider, even some videos. It was pretty special what’s happened the last couple of months.”
Mr. Snider’s family released a statement on Monday.
“Our Dad was loved and admired for his big heart, generosity of spirit, and dedication to his family. Despite his considerable business achievements and public profile, he was first and foremost a family man,” the Snider family said in a statement. “Unrivaled, however, was his love for the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club, the team he created 50 years ago and to which he remained fiercely devoted through his final days.”
Over the weekend, the Flyers hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in a pivotal game. With Mr. Snider watching through FaceTime, anthem singer Lauren Hart sang “God Bless America”
“Ed Snider was the soul and the spirit of the Flyers, who have reflected his competitiveness, his passion for hockey and his love for the fans from the moment he brought NHL hockey to Philadelphia in 1967,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
Mr. Snider will truly be missed by everyone in the Flyers’ organization from the players on the ice to the front office to the many who work behind the scenes and to the legions of Flyers fans.
On behalf of Pro Hockey News, I offer the condolences and sympathies to the Snider family.
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