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Philadelphia Flyers Owner Ed Snider Passes Away at 83 Years Old

ByJennifer Hoffman|
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 13: American Chairman of Comcast Ed Snider speaks onstage at the National Museum of American Jewish History opening gala hosted by Jerry Seinfeld and featuring Bette Midler at National Museum of American Jewish History on November 13, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for National Museum of American Jewish History)
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 13: American Chairman of Comcast Ed Snider speaks onstage at the National Museum of American Jewish History opening gala hosted by Jerry Seinfeld and featuring Bette Midler at National Museum of American Jewish History on November 13, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for National Museum of American Jewish History)

Philadelphia Flyers Owner Ed Snider Passes Away at 83 Years Old, “Heroes Get Remembered, but Legends Never Die”

That famous saying couldn’t hold more truth than what it does today. Ed Snider is a legend in Philadelphia and although he may be gone, his spirit will live on in the orange and black. The man who pushed for the league to expand to Philadelphia in 1967 ended his two year battle with cancer on Monday.

Without Ed Snider, there would be no Flyers. He was told that hockey wouldn’t work in Philly – boy were they wrong.

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He started a franchise who would go on to beat the USSR at the Spectrum, who would be led by Bobby Clarke & company to not one, but two consecutive Stanley Cups in 1974 & 1975. Ed Snider was the man behind it all and the one who we can thank for creating and always believing in the Broadstreet Bullies.

Not only was Snider passionate about his Flyers but he was also passionate about hockey. He started the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation to bring hockey to kids though out the city of brotherly love. The program teaches kids the sport of hockey but also the lessons that come along with it. That is his legacy and something that will continue to inspire kids in Philadelphia.

A 50 year owner of the Flyers, he is the only guy the franchise knew at the helm. All of their successes and all of their not so bright moments, they owe it all to him. The Flyers clinched a berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday with a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. During the national anthem, singer Lauren Hart face time’d with Ed Snider so he could witness it, not knowing it would be his last.

The Flyers have a first round match-up with the Washington Capitals with game one beginning on Thursday night. This series will prove to be exciting and one that many may have counted the Flyers out for.

The passing of Ed Snider lights a fire under the Flyers and gives them motivation to make noise in the playoffs and have the potential to make a run at Lord Stanley. Anything they do this post season you can bet it is in honor of Mr. Snider. He longed to make Philly a team to compete in the playoffs and did everything in his power to make it happen.

Even at the expense of some prospects and players who were a big role on the team, he traded them away to get a player in return who he hoped to help bring the Cup to Philly. Although close in 2010 (and maybe not all of his gambles paid off), the Flyers organization wouldn’t be where they are today if it weren’t for him.

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This truly marks a sad day for the entire hockey world. So Mr. Snider, the Flyers franchise and its fans all thank you. You made hockey in Philadelphia, and for that, we are forever grateful.

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