Monday, April 11, 2016 has been a day dedicated to the memory of Ed Snider and a celebration of his life and contributions to the Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL and hockey as a whole.
To close out our coverage of this day, we provide a wrap up of everything you have seen on Flyerdelphia today, some personal thoughts from the Flyerdelphia staff and a few fan memories.
From Editor in Chief, Brian Startare:
Today is a sad day in Philadelphia. Flyers Chairman, owner and founder Ed Snider passed away at the age of 83.
As many of you know, I live, eat and breathe Flyers hockey. My first book was a Flyers Trivia book, and I was fortunate enough to be the pre, intermission and post game host on radio. I now am continuing my hockey passion with Flyerdelphia.com as part of SportsTalkPhilly.com
I first met Ed Snider on the concourse of Miami Arena during a road trip with my buddy Kevin Denihan in 1996. As we were finding our way to our seats, there he was leaning against the wall with Bob Clarke, eating a hot dog. We went over, shook his hand and he said, "thank you for representing us."
Years later, I got to interview him many times and got to see the inner workings of the Flyers organization. One night, after a playoff game, he invited me into the lounge upstairs at the Wells Fargo Center with a bunch of others. It was always first class.
I even got that famous Snider sneer during an interview during a carnival. I asked a tough question that he didn't like but right after the interview, he shook my hand, tapped me on the shoulder and went on his way.
Ed Snider was the best owner in Philadelphia sports. He wanted to win and would do so at any cost. There was a perception that he meddled into the hockey business. That wasn't the case. He just wanted to know what was going on. But he let the hockey guys do the hockey business.
If there were a fault of his, it was that he was too loyal at times, staying with certain players or management for too long. But make no mistake, he wanted to win. Every decision and move was to try and win a Cup.
I have to thank him for bringing our city the Flyers, the game of hockey, The Spectrum; a building in which I hold so many great memories, and Sportsradio 94WIP, which I was a part of for almost nine years.
Lauren Hart on Saturday afternoon allowed him one last glimpse of the building he created, and the team he loved through face time on her iPhone as she sang God Bless America. He then guided the Flyers to the playoffs one last time.
He made a difference in a lot of people's lives and he will continue to do so with his Youth Hockey Foundation.
The Flyers organization lost more than their founder today, they lost their soul. But in true Flyers fashion, his spirit will be renewed in the legacy he leaves behind.
Good night. Good hockey.
From Managing Editor, Kevin Durso:
Reflecting on this day and what it means for Flyers history makes it all the more bittersweet. Ed Snider, the Flyers founder, has left us. All it took was a look at the Flyers crest today to realize not only what Mr. Snider meant to the franchise, but what it means to be a Flyer.
I never personally met Mr. Snider, but I feel like I can relate to him in so many ways. Perhaps that is because the simple sight of the crest and what it means — playing for the logo on the front, not the name on the back — is what Flyers hockey is all about.
There are people who may say the Flyers and their fans are rowdy, unruly and just straight brutes. Truth is, Ed Snider is the very epitome of a Flyers fan: tenacious, passionate, willing to do anything to win.
Every Flyers fan should be able to reflect on this day and the man that brought Flyers hockey to Philadelphia and be thankful for his vision 49 years ago. That vision is stronger than ever because of the generations of Flyers fans that have continued to be as faithful as ever to the team through thick and thin.
So goodbye, Mr. Snider, and thank you for everything. We as Flyers fans will do our very best to carry on your legacy.
From Contributing Writer, Rob Riches:
Throughout the 49-year history of the Flyers, nobody has defined the franchise quite like Edward Malcolm Snider. He's been there for every step of the way from their noble beginnings until now, and truly made the most of every opportunity.
From History Writer, Mike Watson – A photo of Mr. Snider gracing the cover of Flyers magazine:
@Flyerdelphia We will always be indebted to Ed Snider for bringing championship hockey to Philadelphia.
— Robert Dixey (@RDixey92) April 11, 2016
@Flyerdelphia love the story of him refusing to pay the soviets in that 76 game. Had some great quote about communists still wanted paid
— Steve Frantz (@Frantz_Rants) April 11, 2016
@Flyerdelphia Never met the guy, but the Flyers are such an important piece of my life it feels like I lost my grandfather.
— Josh (@JRessel24) April 11, 2016
Links
Reactions from Flyers past and present and around the NHL.
Ron Hextall, Claude Giroux and others fondly remember Ed Snider's passion for hockey.
Lastly, we want to close with two lasting images of Ed Snider. One was sent to us by follower Damien Purificato, and includes the David Wilkinson image of Ed Snider's silhouette inside the Flyers logo, a fitting tribute to the founder.
@Flyerdelphia @billmeltzer pic.twitter.com/FBYm3MknCq
— Damien Purificato (@DamienP1984) April 11, 2016
Finally, below is a tribute video posted by the Flyers to their website this morning on Ed Snider's life.
Once again, the entire Flyerdelphia staff offers sincere condolences to Mr. Snider's family and the Flyers family. Be sure to continue reading here at Flyerdelphia as the playoffs begin later this week.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
