October 5th is a number of things. It is opening night. On that note, it is banner night. It is the day every Thrashers fan has looked forward to since clinching it last season. It will be a day of joy, and celebration. Instead of celebrating the achievements of a season past, I would like to celebrate something else, a life.
On October 5th, 2003, Dan Snyder passed on. Dan was my favorite player. He truly was. He was the underdog. Standing a hair over 6 feet tall and at 190ish pounds, Dan wasn’t a super star in skill, but definitely was in the heart. Dan Snyder became my favorite player in the game he scored his first goal. It was March 22, 2002 against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden. Dan Snyder was paired up against Eric Lindros’ line. Dan got under Eric’s skin from the time the puck dropped. Now picture this. Dan Snyder, 6’0” 190 pounds and Eric Lindros, 6’4” 240 pounds, scrapping the entire game. Every time Lindros and Snyder would start shoving each other, Barnaby would step in on Lindros’ behalf. In the second period, Lindros and Snyder got into it again. With Lindros getting a crosschecking penalty, Barnaby received a double for roughing, and Dan dishing out a slash along with a roughing minor at 5:34. Well Dan’s first goal came toward the end of the second period. The guy Dan had to skate around was, you guessed it, Eric Lindros. It takes a special man to do that. To go in the face of bigger, more talented, veteran players, and have the attitude that you belong, and no matter what you are not getting rid of me. I will keep coming back for more.
Dan’s heart was never in question in his life. Dan was Owen Sound’s Humanitarian of the Year in 1998 and 1999. He was always a supporter of the community he was in. Whether it was his home town of Elmira, or the cities he played in from the Sound to Atlanta, Dan made sure he made time for the fans and the community. The Thrashers, Chicago Wolves, and the OHL all have named annual awards for Dan. The OHL and Wolves awards are awarded for players that demonstrate dedication to the community. The Thrashers award their Dan Snyder award to the unsung hero of the team.
This will be my pregame blog for banner night. So in your pregame rituals, whether you are in Buffalo or Vancouver, take a second and remember #37 for me in your own way. For Atlanta fans, I always thought Dan represented us well and there were similarities between us. A lot of other fans think we don’t belong. We shouldn’t have a team. Hockey in the south is a waste of time. Remember that Dan Snyder attitude as they raise that banner. We belong, and no matter what, we are here to stay. We will keep coming back for more. This way a truly remarkable man’s spirit lives on.
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