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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-04-14, Page 13Sports Snyder tells Huron -Perth Lakers his son Dan taught him to value the team By Matt Shurris Goderkh Signal -Star Editor Graham Snyder said the first speaking engagement since the death of his son contained a message delivered with both "mixed emotions" and "some trepidation." "I wasn't sure whether I would be able to do it because you never know when your emotions are going to come to the surface," Snyder said following his keynote speech to members of the Huron - Perth 'AAA' Lakers annual banquet on April 8 at the Seaforth Arena Auditorium. Snyder's son, Dan, a former member of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, died on Oct. 5, 2003 of head injuries suffered in a car crash with teammate Dany Heatley. Snyder was 25. Heatley, who returned to play in the NHL late this season, still faces vehicular homicide charges in connection with the crash. During his speech Snyder, general manager of the Mid - Western Jr. 'B' League's Elmira Sugar Kings, reminded the packed auditorium that "we're all in this together" as he discussed different aspects of the game with players, coaches and parents. However, his comments rang true on a personal note following the speech when he was asked about his family's decision to support Heatley in his recovery. "It's been difficult and you always look for reasons and for people to blame but it was also easy that we knew our son very well and we also knew a little bit about Dany Heatley," Snyder said. "We felt we knew what was in his heart and we felt that it would -benefit boat him and us if we showed forgiveness. "I think it has (been the best course) but not having gone down the other road I don't know where that leads but I can't see how it benefits anyone really." Throughout the evening Snyder stressed the importance of teamwork reminding the players in attendance about how being part of a team can affect you in so many ways. "I think I learned a lot from (Dan) and one of the main ones was that he was never afraid to learn from the people he played with," Snyder said. "Growing up (Dan) was one of the better players on his team but he was never one of the bigger ones by any meats and he wasn't the most talented but he always valued his teammates and always respected them. "I think he taught his teammates and showed them a contagious love for the game and sitting up top I • r know I could see it when I watched him play on the ice. Every time he went out on the ice you could just tell that he loved to be out there and that he was going to do anything he could to help his teanunates win a hockey game." Snyder stressed the need for role players on the ice since "not everybody gets to score the goals." "There's an awful lot of ways that you can contribute to making your hockey team a little bit better and it's something I guess my son seemed to learn along the way," Snyder said. "The first thing he looked for whenever he went to a tryout — whether it was the Jr. 'B' level, the Jr. 'A' level or professional hockey — was to figure out where he could make a contribution to that team that would help them be successful. Along the way he won a few championships." Dan Snyder played his junior hockey in Elmira and Owen Sound before he joined Atlanta. However, along the way he enjoyed stints playing in the American Hockey League in Orlando and Chicago = where he eventually captured the Calder Cup. "Learn how to use your strength to the advantage of your team and you'll be the kind of player that will be sought after," Snyder said to the players. Snyder reminded players that just because they come from smaller communities like Seaforth or Walton doesn't mean they won't be drafted or spotted by hockey scouts. "It may not be because you're the next phenom or anything like that but if you contribute to your team and can help a team be successful you will get noticed," Snyder said. One hockey player in particular that caught Snyder's attention was Seaforth native Boyd Devereaux, now vying for the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings. Snyder's son competed against Devereaux while the two were playing in the Ontario Hockey League — Snydet with Owen Sand and Devereaux with the Kitchener Rangers. "I remember Boyd was always one of the better players on the Rangers and Dan's job was usually to try and check those guys," Snyder said. "A lot of times he ended up running into Boyd or running over him or doing whatever he could to stop Boyd but I know when Dan used to talk about him he used to talk about him v e r y respec tfu11y and about how much he admired the kind of hockey player he was and what he brought to the game." When Snyder turned his attention to coaches he said the focus should be on developing young men rather than winning. "I think winning is very important and it's a big part of learning and a big part of what hockey or any sports is all about," Snyder said, pointing to his Sugar Kings' Sutherland Cup team a few years ago that saw eight players move on to the NCAA and another nine into various Canadian colleges and universities. "But, I think the winning is a by-product and I think if we can develop young men and women. "I think if we tryto develop character in our players that will lead us to success." Snyder said throdgh the years he's also witnessed a lot of things from parents as they followed their children through the ranks. As a former hockey parent himself he stressed the need for parents to let their children decide how far the game would take them. "Your son will decide how far he's going to go in hockey," Snyder said. "If that's going to be Jr. 'D' with the Exeter Hawks or Jr. 'B' with the Stratford Cullitons or the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs it's going to be up to him. He's going to decide that and all we can do as a parent is give our unqualified support. "We can't give our children the skill — in most cases we can give them a whole lot of knowledge and an enjoyment of the game that's going to be contagious — but they're going to decide their future." Since the collision that claimed his sort's life, Snyder said he's learned very quickly just how small the hockey world can be — a point he stressed to members of the Lakers organization: "Remember that the rest of the players on your team — not just your own child — is a part of your extended family and treat them with respect and enjoy them," Snyder said. Dan Snyder received numerous tributes in the days, Quoted 1 think if we try to develop character in our players, that will lead to success,' -- Graham Snyder, father of Atlanta Thrashers player Dan Snyder Scoreboard SOUTH HURON FUTSAL (indoor soccer) April 7 Oakwood 5 St. Columban 2 St. Columban scorers: Brady Nolan, Tony DeKroon BOWLING St. James Irt I 1 inc'na- O hp Make Your Own Beer, Wine, Coolers and Fruit Wine (CRrete here or al hewed ?v 84 Kingston St., GOfiERICH 524-2323 11 April 5 Men's High Single: Don Elliott 299 Men's High Triple: Don Elliott 850 Men over 200: Don Elliott 299, 299, 252; Geo. Love 230, 293; Murray 'Kraemer 264, 243; Mark Higenell 203, 211; Dave Hood 213; Gord Murray 203. Men over 600: Don Elliott 850, Geo. Love 704, Murray Kraemer 694. Women's High Single: Julie Geddes 292 Women's High Triple: Julie Geddes 623 Women over 200: Julie Geddes 292, Sandra Lee 273, Faye Dalrymple 243, Pearl James 214, Janice Morris 205. Women over 600: Julie Geddes 623. Final Playoff Standings: Eagles 12934, Cardinals 12651, Hawks 12474, Orioles 12423, Blue Jays 12311, Falcons 12257. Volunteers are vital to the Blyth Festival's mission to produce and develop Canadian work. We salute Seaforth area board members David Scott and (since Whitmore and the tremendous corps of dedicated volunteers who live in our region. We simply could not do It without I III \\k 1011. 1 I 1\\k 1 Oil I I 1\\l\ 1011 1I Surprise, laughter, music and quiet reflection are all partnof our 30th Anniversary season. Check our website at www.blythfestival.com for details about volunteering call the box office at 523.9300/ 1.877.862.5984. weeks and months following his death. His junior team, the Owen Sound Attack, retired his jersey while members of the Atlanta Thrashers sported the number 37 on their sweaters this season. In recent weeks a number of scholarships in his name have also been set up including one involving the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA). Snyder said the original plan called forone scholarship to be awarded annually to a member of the Elmira minor hockey association and one to a member of the Elmira Sugar Kings. However, support for the awards has prompted the Snyder family to add a third award to an athlete in Elmira looking to pursue any sport. A fourth award was announced last week in Owen Sound that will see one high school student rewarded for pursuing a university education. As well, the Dan Snyder Memorial Fund has been created with all donations going towards construction of a new arena and swimming pool recreation complex — something that was very important to Dan. "I have found that it does give me some satisfaction and some peace of mind to know that Dan's dream is helping others," Snyder said. Huron -Perth Lakers added to the memorial fund when the organization presented Snyder with a cheque for $1,037. The Bible...your atlas to an eternity that waits. Come & hear how to know you're on the right road. Nightly Sunday to Friday through April 18 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Joseph Street Gospel Hall, 143 Joseph St. Clinton. SPEAKERS: BRIAN CRAWFORD, MURRAY PRA1T Questions? Need a ride? Call 527-0540. Expect a warm welcome with no collections or obligations i Benefit Dance for Rob & Stephanie (Oliver) Ohm Friday, April 16/04 9 pm - 1 am Brussels Moms & Grey Community Centre ge of Majority Lunch Provi Tickets $5.00 each available at Seaforth Shell and Archie's UPI TI$* HURON UPO$ITQlt. APPIk 14, 2004-13 CANOE19th AnnualRALLY Stanley Sunday, April 18 REGISTRATION: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm at Tyndall's Bridge AIRPORT LINE Registration '20. for one canoe -- includes one poker hand FREE HAT to first 100 participants Prizes for best Poker Hands Additional Prizes - FOOD BOOTH NO motorized vehicles 16 years or accompanied by adult All in canoe must wear life Jackets Starts on Airport Line (2nd of Stanley) at Tyndall's Bridge approx. 5 mile run on the beautiful Bayfield River to the bridge in Varna For information call Joyce 263-2682 Sandra 233-5350 (days) Zurich Lions Club 1st AnnUaI FREE ADMISSION APRIL23-24-25 Friday 4-9 pm Saturday 12 noon - 6 pm Sunday 1-4 pm FISH FRY Friday Night Apr 23 5.8:00 pm Fish Fry tickets $10.00 each 'new Bluewater Community Centre in Zurich Come out and Support the Lions and the Show FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL JOHN BECKER 237.3628 at the 1.5SONCJ4IPOUZISIOVAIOr Peggoty's Tealtoom will be closed from Monday, April 19th until Monday, May 3rd, 2004 for Renovations to our Kitchens. We apologize for any inconvenience. Reopening on May 3rd with a New Extended Menu! (old favourites and exciting new choices!) The Bed and Breakfast is still open and customers are wel- come. Peggoty's Preserves and Gift Baskets are also available For more information go to: Www.peggotyS.ca or contact us at: 5274072 ie4A. 0AsV: etro 0 reA *344 4:7 El rr„=.i CCE Nag arZI43jys $'eLt1c Inn tra MAN 'Formerly The Queen's Hotel" 4 Goderich St., E Seaforth 527-2982 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE There's no bull with our beef! We support our local beef producers by featuring only Ontario Grown, Premium Aged, 100% Naturally Com Fed Beef because we believe it to be tit VERY BEST BEEF AVAILBALEI April 1 5 Carvery for Lunch 11 am Spm MUSIC BY D.I Dancing 9 pm April 22 Carvery for Lunch BBO Ribs' 11 am -3pn, MUSIC BY DJ Dancing 9 pm April 29 Carvery for lunch 360 Ribs" 11 am Spm 14111SIC F3Y DJ Dancing 9 pm lL-fin-i1 LAI April 16 Carvery for Lunch 11 ani - 3 pm April 17 teak & Prime Rib Specials SHELLY RASTIN BAND Fantastic Music & Entertainment April 23 Carvery for Lunch 11 am -3pin April 2,1 `Steak & Prime Rib Specials DOUG VARDY BAND Fantastic Live Band for All Ages April 30 Carvery for L. 11 ani 3 poi May I -Oak & Prime Rib Specials THE PILLOWHEADS Live Band! April 18 Joni is for SUNDAY 8RUNCH April 25 Join is for SUNDAY 8RUNCH May 2 .loin is for SUNDAY 8RUNCH .v.