The visible heroes of an era for a sports team are almost always the star players. Most Philadelphians bring up players like Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, Ron Hextall, Eric Lindros, Dave Schultz, and Claude Giroux when discussing their beloved Flyers. However, none of these players would mean a thing if it wasn't for one man whose dream became a reality. Ed Snider founded the Flyers in 1967 after he bought the rights to one of the first expansion teams outside of the "Original Six" hockey teams. This team went on to become the second best franchise in NHL history in terms of winning points percentage (surpassed only by the mighty Montreal Canadiens), and have most certainly earned their nicknames as "The Broad Street Bullies".
The story of the the Flyers began with Ed Snider when hockey was far from popular in the United States. Snider had never even seen a hockey game, but he witnessed the fervent support of Boston Bruins fans for their team even though they were the worst team in the fledgling NHL that year. After seeing how crazed hockey fans really are, the dream of bringing an NHL franchise to the city of Philadelphia was sparked. After forming a group of executives and starting construction on The Spectrum, he acquired the rights to an NHL team in Philadelphia. The name was chosen in a contest, and the Philadelphia Flyers was born.
Despite being dealt a weak hand in terms of players after the expansion draft, Ed Snider was able to piece together a squad of big, punishing players. This led their play to be brutal and rough, and their reputation of being one of the toughest teams to beat grew quickly. The Flyers went on to win back to back Stanley Cups, and although they haven't won a cup since the Broad Street Bullies era, the team is still one of the most successful in the league. It's tough to imagine that just half a century ago, this team was nothing but a thought in Ed Snider's mind. This team truly has materialized into something incredible, and it's sad that Mr. Snider won't be here to watch the team's future successes.
Ed Snider is truly a hero of the city of Philadelphia. Even though most of the focus regarding him is directed towards the Flyers, he also had a major role in the history of the 76ers of the NBA, the Eagles of the NFL, and the Phantoms of the AHL. The passion he had for Philadelphia sports was practically unrivaled. Players often remarked that he was one of the greatest owners in the NHL, and it's easy to see why. He truly was the heart and soul of the Flyers, and he will be greatly missed.
To close with, here are a few quotes from notable Flyers on Ed Snider.
"Mr. Snider obviously is the organization. He is the Philadelphia Flyers." - Wayne Simmonds
"Without Mr. Snider, there would be no Philadelphia Flyers." - Brayden Schenn
"There's something special here, and it all started and really ended with him." - Ron Hextall
"He's the face of this franchise. Even though he hasn't been around, he hasn't been forgotten." - Steve Mason
Rest in peace, Mr. Snider, and go Flyers!
