Posted on 04/14/2016 9:41:03 AM PDT by Kid Shelleen
---SNIP--- My favorite hockey story about Ed is the time the Flyers played the Red Army team in 1976 at the Spectrum. Jimmy Carter had just been elected president. The Soviet empire was on the offensive while at home the mood was one of retrenchment and retreat. The Red Army team had won 13 championships in a row and was on tour defeating every American professional hockey team they faced. Then they came to Philadelphia home to the Broad Street Bullies as the Flyers were known around the league because of their physical play.
In the first period, the Flyers took the game to the Russians and then Flyer defenseman Ed Van Impe decked the Red Army’s star player who lay on the ice for a full minute before he was able to get up. It was a clean hit and there was no penalty, but the Soviet coach pulled his team from the ice to protest the Flyers’ rough play and threatened not to return. Ed promptly marched down to the Red Army dressing room and in a shouting match with the President of the Soviet Hockey Federation
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Good read. David fan here.
A tale of friendship.
A good tale of a good friendship.
a bad time to be playing the Flyers. Dave Schultz era..
I grew up outside Philly, and was in high-school when the Flyers won their first 2 Cups, and then fell short of the “Hat Trick in ‘76” - my graduation year. I played some club hockey in college, and got invited to fill a spot on a team out of Univ. of Penn during the summer. It was organized by 2 of Eddie’s sons: Craig & Jay. Craig was our first-line center, and Jay was our goalie. We had a great time playing against ‘Nova, St. Joe, Drexel, Temple, and others.
The Snider boys were generous to a fault, hosting team parties at their place in Philly.
My favorite story about “Mr. Snider” revolved around a player trade - one that didn’t seem to make sense at the time - they sent fan-favorite Ken Linseman to Edmonton. The story was that Kenny (”The Rat”) had wanted to date Mr. Snider’s daughter, Lindy. Snider would have none of it, and called the player into his office, expressing his concerns. Linseman said something to the effect of “With respect Mr. Snider, I’ll date whoever I want to.”
They had an amicable parting, and an aide to Mr. Snider asked what he thought. Ed said: “Then he can date who ever he wants in Edmonton.”. He was gone the next day in a 3-way deal with Hartford, that brought Mark Howe to the Flyers.
Still makes me chuckle 30+ years later.
According to many past and present players, Mr. Snider was a man with a heart of gold who loved his team, his players and the fans. Treated his players and the organization like family.
Rip Mr. Snider.
It's hard to believe how fast the years have shot by since those glory days of "The Hammer", and Bobby Clarke, and Bernie Parent, (etc.).
RIP Ed Snider.
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