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This article was written for Dan Snyder from Jessica Mazo. She wrote this concering the life of Dan Snyder.
After winning their first game of their hockey season, the Atlanta Thrashers flew to Elmira, Ontario to attend a funeral; the funeral of a friend, a teammate and a truly wonderful man. This man was Dan Snyder.
The funeral was filled with hundreds of people. And though hundreds attended the funeral, even more lined the streets to join in laying Dan Snyder to rest. The service, which lasted 90 minutes, included several tributes to the life of Dan Snyder. Dan Snyder was only 25 year old but had touched the lives of many people and will continue to for years to come. His body was put to rest on October 10, 2003 but the memory of Dan Snyder will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His life was cut short and for Dan Snyder, as Billy Joel said, “Only the good die young”.
Though Dan Snyder’s life came to an end at a young age, he will always be remembered by those who loved him, grew up with him, played with him, watched him, and all who knew him. His amazing life and tragic death will live on in the memory of these people. Though his life was short, it was well lived and wherever he went he made an impact.
The memory of Dan Snyder will stick with many people; friends, family and fans alike. Bob Cummings is one such person. He works with the Sugar Kings hockey team as an assistant coach and player development and education consultant. Bob Cummings also taught Dan Snyder from sixth to eighth grade, since he was a teacher for 35 years. Bob Cummings knew Dan Snyder both on and off the ice. When asked to speak of Dan Snyder’s life, Bob Cummings said, “Dan was never supposed to play hockey at its highest level but each time he was reminded about this, it only fueled his desire to prove them wrong. He was a great person off the ice and cherished his family and friends no matter how much success he had and was always concerned about what they were doing. He was one who enjoyed life and was one you had to watch, as he would play all kinds of tricks on you. If you had to sum up Dan in single words, here are some that come to mind: Concern, heart, desire, perseverance, family, friends, and dedication. And I am sure that there are many more but these are the ones that come to my mind.” To Bob Cummings, like many others, Dan Snyder was just a great person, possibly the greatest. He was dedicated and had a love for life. Dan was always participating in charity work. If it was for charity and he could help, Dan always said yes. He enjoyed helping and worked with many charity organizations over the years. Because of his giving nature, many people, friends and fans alike, fell in love with Dan.
Dan Snyder was entertaining to watch and fans will always remember him as they had seen him on the ice. They will remember Dan Snyder at his best. Though his hockey career was short it was successful and he had a bright future ahead of him. What happened on September 29, 2003 was the unthinkable. That was when his bright future dimmed.
That night, Dan Snyder was attending a banquet the Atlanta Thrashers were having for season ticket holders with his roommate and friend Dany Heatley. After mingling with the fans for a few hours, the two friends left in Dany Heatley’s Ferrari. That was when the unexpected occurred. That night these two young men got into a severe car accident on the account of reckless driving. Heatley was driving about 80 miles per hour down a 35 mile per hour road when he lost control of his Ferrari. The Ferrari hit into a brick and wrought iron fence. The two were tossed from the car just before it split in two.
Both men were taken to the hospital. Dan Snyder had severe brain injuries. He slipped into a coma and underwent two hours of brain surgery. The Doctors, family and friends felt the chances of him pulling through this were high. But, On October 6, 2003, the Snyder family received the worst news a family could hear. This was the day that Graham and Luanne Snyder were told that their son, Dan, passed away. They now had to bury their 25 year old son, an experience some parents have to face and many wish to never face.
The days following Dan Snyder’s death proved to be desolate for all who knew him. His death affected many, including the members of his hometown of Elmira. Elmira is a small town not too far from Toronto founded by Mennonites. Elmira is a tight-knit town where residents live peacefully and proudly. Everyone knows everyone else. Dan Snyder was proud his background and often joked of it. Dan Snyder used to say that the only true pressure he felt was not with hockey, but with growing the beard that was customary with his heritage. Dan’s good nature and sense of humor made him well liked and well known. Everyone in Elmira knew Dan Snyder and were proud of him and his success. So, upon the news of Dan Snyder’s death, this whole town mourned the loss. Pictures of the late Dan Snyder were hung in the windows of the shops and stores all over the town. The whole town was shaken up upon the news of his death. All who lived in the town knew the Snyder family.
Because the Snyder family was well known, many wished to pay their respects. The Wake that took place the Wednesday following Dan’s death was crowded with mourners. The Wake began at 7:00pm and by 7:30 the building began to fill and about 150 people were lined up outside on the sidewalks. These people were waiting, waiting to give Dan Snyder their final good byes. The funeral, which occurred the Friday after that was the same way. Many people showed up and this once small town was now packed with grieving people.
Dan spent 25 years living his life to the fullest. Growing up, Dan looked up to his brother Jake and enjoyed entertaining all that were around him. He had a knack for entertaining and he quickly became a fan favorite on each team he played for. One fan, an Atlanta Thrashers Season Ticket Holder, Brian Griffin, said of Dan Snyder, “I've met him a couple of times and he was always a very cordial and generous. I will never forget two hockey related incidences about Dan. I remember the game in late 2002 when the Thrashers traveled to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers. Dan was in Eric Lindros’s face all night and finally prompted Lindros to lose it and take a dumb penalty, which sealed the win for the Thrashers. The following night, in Ottawa, Sami Salo laid a cheap shot on one of our players. The next thing I remember is seeing Snyder come in with an elbow and level Salo the next time he touched the puck. Yes, it was a cheap shot, but when you are a Thrasher fan, you appreciate the player that sticks up for his teammate.” Fans everywhere will always remember and cherish the moments like these, moments of Dan Snyder at his best. Dan Snyder was feisty and always let it show. Jake Snyder, who spoke at his brother’s funeral, said of his memories of his brother, “I used to be known for having a temper, but I think it was just Dan getting me angry. When I would watch him on TV, I laughed every time I saw somebody get upset and chase him around the ice. I would think, ‘Buddy, I know exactly what you're thinking.’” He will always be remembered for his feisty behavior as well as on ice presence. He played hockey with his heart and could flash a smile that would lighten up anyone’s life. His enthusiasm and energy could always spark a fire in anyone he played along side. He was a crowd pleaser, fan favorite and a true blue all around good person. Though Dan lived a happy life, he never had it easy.
Dan Snyder faced many struggles to get where he was in life. His struggle is what made him inspirational and amazing. Unlike many hockey players, he was never drafted. Because he was never drafted, his fight to get into the NHL took longer than usual. He was a small guy and was not always the most skillful player out there. What he lacked in skill, he made up in determination. Dan never quit and fought his way into the NHL. Finally, on July 6, 1999, he was signed by the Atlanta Thrashers as a free agent. On April 3, 2001, he made his NHL debut. He had reached a goal many thought was impossible. He played on and off in the NHL after that, mainly playing in the lower leagues (the International Hockey League and the American Hockey League). In 2001, he won the Turner Cup (the International Hockey League Championship) and in 2002 he won the Calder Cup (the American Hockey League Championship). His achievements were many and his efforts were praised. He had a bright future ahead of him.
2003 brought the opportunity for him to get a spot on the Atlanta Thrashers line up and finally play a full season in the NHL. While attending training camp, Dan was rooming with a fellow teammate and friend Dany Heatley. Dany Heatley was a humble 22 year old who also had a bright future. Dany Heatley was the future of the Atlanta Thrasher Organization and the next big name in hockey. He played college hockey for Wisconsin where he, like Dan Snyder, became a fan favorite. Unlike Dan Snyder though, the Atlanta Thrashers drafted Dany Heatley and his future as an NHL player was obvious. Dan Snyder’s future in the NHL was not always obvious. He had made it past the team cuts finally and had a shot to play a full season in the NHL. After making it past the cuts, he was told he could find himself a place to live in the area since he pretty much made the team. Sadly, neither Dany Heatley nor Dan Snyder made it to the Atlanta Thrashers’ opening night.
Dany Heatley’s injuries were less severe then Dan Snyder’s. Dany Heatley will physically be able to return to hockey, but emotionally he may never be the same. He may no longer be the “happy go lucky” man he once was. He may never flash his smile that many say, “Only a mother could love”. Dany Heatley is changed forever because now he has to spend the rest of his life knowing he was driving that car. He will spend the rest of his life living with this thought and with the memory of his friend. He thinks about Dan Snyder all the time and cannot escape the memory of what happened. He cannot escape the thought he was driving that car and he held Dan Snyder's life in his hands. Slowly Dan Snyder's life slipped through his hands and Dan Snyder is now no longer with us. Dany Heatley knows this and lives with this fact. However, he does not only have to spend the rest of his life knowing just this; he can also spend it knowing that his suffering is not going unnoticed.
This tragedy and Dan’s death has spread into the homes of people all over the world. It shows how vulnerable people of every age, religion, background and work field are. People everywhere are hearing of this tragedy and are now aware of how one choice, one mistake can change the lives of not just one person, but the lives of people everywhere. Many men and women all have, at one point or another in their lives made a mistake and done something that may have seemed cool at the time, but was risky. Dany Heatley and Dan Snyder’s tragedy is an example of this risk. It shows the consequences of those risky actions. What happened on the night of September 29th was unexpected. It was just two young men going for a joy ride, a crime many people have been guilty of committing. Where this joy ride differs is that a life was lost and others were changed forever as a result of it. This tragedy could happen to anyone. The fact that it happened in the hockey community only shows that we are all vulnerable to tragedy. It shows that anyone can face a tragedy. This unexpected event also shows that bad things can happen and no one can stop them. Therefore, Dany Heatley cannot be fully blamed for this accident. It was an accident, something unplanned and unexpected and something Dany Heatley wishes he could change from happening every morning he wakes up. He lives with this tragedy and despite the wishes of fans and family, he will continue to this with this tragedy. But, he doesn't have to just live with this tragedy, he can forgive himself and realize that this was just an accident and a lesson he learned the hard way, through the loss of a friend. It is a lesson people everywhere will grieve over and learn from.
The world will never know how great Dan Snyder could have been, all we know is how great he was. He lived a good and honorable life. He lived the way he always dreamed of living and the way many dream to live. He accomplished his goal to make it to the NHL. However, he did more than that in his life. He proved that size and skill do not always determine how far you will get in life. Sometimes your determination can get you where you want to go in life. As Bob Cummings said, “If there is anything that we should remember about Dan, it is his desire and determination in all he did. Remember that if you are going to do anything, do it to the best of your ability or do not do it at all. We now celebrate his life and what he meant to everyone that he came in contact with. The town was so proud of his climb to the NHL. It just showed to everyone that if you want something bad enough it can be achieved.” When looking back on Dan Snyder’s life, we should not cry for the life that he lived, for it was a truly wonderful life. Cry for the life unlived, cry for all the he could have been.
Many fans had the pleasure of meeting Dan Snyder during his life. I, sadly, will never get the opportunity. Dan Snyder, as well as Dany Heatley, are both hockey players that I admire. I admired each for different reasons, Dan Snyder for his determination and Dany Heatley for his skill. Both were very humble and inspirational men.
Last season, I bought myself an Atlanta Thrashers jersey. I had not had it customized because I still had not decided whose name I would put on it. I had a few names in mind, two of them being Snyder and Heatley, but I could not choose. I found it difficult to pick just one player to honor by customizing my jersey with their name. Therefore, throughout the season the jersey remained blank. To this day, the jersey is still blank. But for me, whose name to put on it is quite obvious. The answer is Dan Snyder.
