Regel Posted October 12, 2003 Report Posted October 12, 2003 (edited) Hockey Town says goodbye By Brian Caldwell Kitchener Record Towering professionals in dark suits rapped knuckles with hundreds of minor hockey players in oversized team jerseys on an emotional procession to the Elmira church where Dan Snyder was remembered yesterday. Tykes and bantams, boys and girls the youngsters lined the length of Snyder Avenue for a fitting tribute to a fallen hockey player in a hockey town. “I didn’t think I’d be this moved,” said Ken Lubert, coach of the Woolwich Wild atom girls team. “When I look down here at all these kids, I’m losing it.” After meeting at the family home not far from the town arena, Snyder’s parent’s Graham and Luanne, other relatives and his Atlanta Thrashers team-mates made a ten minute walk to Elmira Mennonite Church behind a police escort. As they went by, the young players tapped their hockey sticks in unison on the pavement and the sombre Thrashers touched knuckles with each of them in a show of solidarity. Parents and coaches in the crowd quietly thanked the Thrashers for coming to pay their respects, while the players returned the gratitude for the tremendous show of support. “You can’t say enough,” said team captain Shawn McEachern ”It seems like a great community.” Mourners lined up for hours in the sun for a seat in the church, where capacity had been more than doubled to 650 by making use of the basement auditorium and other space. Hundreds of other people, (including many Hockey luminaries) stood outside on the lawn or along Church Street as a 90-minute service was broadcast over makeshift speakers. Edited October 12, 2003 by Regel
Regel Posted October 12, 2003 Author Report Posted October 12, 2003 I read this story today and had been following the story in the news for quite sometime. I hope as a parent that I will never have to do what the parents of Danny Snyder did on Friday. The loss effected the whole community and the town of 7000 people stopped to help them shoulder the load. For any of you young people out there think that they have no reason to go on and that no one would miss them, please, think again.
Annael Posted October 12, 2003 Report Posted October 12, 2003 Don Cherry talked about Dan last night on Coaches Corner during the leaf game. You know, statistically, he would've been a 20 goal scorer? It's a shame what happened. My prayers go out to family and friends of Dan. Also a great loss to the hockey world.
Rune Posted October 13, 2003 Report Posted October 13, 2003 Living in Atlanta, this story hits quite close to home..both literally and in emotional ways. Its sad that a person as good as Danny, and a person as good as Dan, both have had to suffer. I only wish their familes the best in these troubled times.
reverie Posted October 15, 2003 Report Posted October 15, 2003 in Atlanta? that's my brother's city... I grew up the outscrits of it... small pen, no? revery the dreamlost "dip,dip,dip...(REM)" the dream continues...
Zariah Posted October 15, 2003 Report Posted October 15, 2003 (edited) Snyder passed away on Sunday, from injuries he had received in a car accident that he was in the previous week. He will always be remembered. Edited October 15, 2003 by Zariah
Rune Posted October 15, 2003 Report Posted October 15, 2003 Here is a CNN news article. I wanted to find one with less talk about the charges but unfortunatly there arnt many available. http://www.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/10/07/hockey...y.ap/index.html
Zariah Posted October 16, 2003 Report Posted October 16, 2003 (edited) Wow, That's so very sad. He basically was careless and unintentionally killed his friend and teammate. Edited October 16, 2003 by Zariah
Regel Posted October 16, 2003 Author Report Posted October 16, 2003 If we are to be compassionate people one must learn to be both sympathetic to Danny Heatley as well as the Snyder family. It doesn't have to be an either or position that people are taking. Danny Heatley is a good kid who made a mistake. It cost him his best friend. Should it also cost him his career? The shame is that he could (if convicted) serve jail time. Vehicular manslaughter in the first degree carries a three year plus a day conviction. What purpose would this serve? Do you think he could be made to feel more badly than he already does? The Snyder family forgave him, now will the good people of Georgia see it the same way or will they demand he pays for his mistake. I fear that this story could end tragically as this accident may yet claim a second life, that of Danny Heatley’s.
Rune Posted October 16, 2003 Report Posted October 16, 2003 Everyone drives fast. It was an honest mistake in my opinion and considering how he is acting towards it, it is very obvious he cared about his best friend. I dont think anything could compare to the mental prision he will probably put himself into for the rest of his life.
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