Heatley talks about fatal crash

ATLANTA - The remorse Dany Heatley felt was evident before the Atlanta Thrashers All-star even spoke a word Friday.

Heatley talked publicly for the first time since the car wreck that killed teammate and friend Dan Snyder, a crash that left Heatley with a broken jaw and torn knee ligaments.

During his comments, he thanked everyone - especially the Snyder family - for their support. He sat by himself on a small platform in the club level at Philips Arena about three hours before his team was scheduled to play the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Heatley says he is sorry for the loss of Snyder and he will miss him forever. Heatley, who faces a vehicular homicide charge, would not discuss specifics about the crash.

Earlier this week, Heatley returned to the ice for the first time since the incident, skating for about ten minutes by himself at the team's headquarters in suburban Atlanta. He has yet to play in a game.