We knew it was just a matter of time before it became Ed’s time to pass away. The 83 year old billionaire passed away from a long battle with bladder cancer. Ed will always be known as a legendary icon in Philadelphia, and the rest of the hockey world. However, he was more than just the owner of the Flyers. Often known to have as much passion as any die-hard Flyer faithful, Snider helped rejuvenate the city in the mid 1970’s. The Broad Street Bullies changed how people looked at the city of Philadelphia. Ed Snider was beloved in the City of Brotherly Love, and his passion for the Flyers will live on.
Flyers players claimed that Ed’s battle with cancer inspired them to do this late season surge that helped them make the playoffs. Earlier this season when the Flyers had a road trip out west the team stopped to visit Ed Snider in his California home. Hakstoll said it was great to see the fire in Mr. Snider’s eyes. Giroux said he didn’t discuss much hockey with him, they mainly just talked about life. Bobby Clarke said it was hard to put into words what Ed Snider mean to his players. Ed created a culture that will never disappear from Philadelphia. He created a bond within the Philadelphia Flyers organization and the city that can’t be broken.
Flyers’ GM Ron Hextall announced that the Flyers will wear patches on their jerseys in the playoffs to honor ED Snider. This extra emotion could help the Flyers pull off the upset against the Capitals, but even if it doesn’t, the Flyers still made a very improbable run in honor of Ed. There have been talks about many memorials to honor Ed. Some ideas that have been brought up include statues and naming the Wells Fargo Center ice rink after him. Whatever the Flyers decide to do to honor Mr. Snider, I’m sure it’ll be a classy gesture so we can all remember Ed for years to come.
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