<p>Thrashers star Dany Heatley plans to play Wednesday night for the first time since surviving a car wreck in September that killed teammate Dan Snyder.</p><p>Heatleys scheduled return against St. Louis at home will cap an amazing recovery. He tore two knee ligaments and broke his jaw in the accident. He had surgery to repair his injuries in October.</p><p>Coach Bob Hartley and Heatley decided Tuesday after practice that he was ready to return to the lineup, the team said.</p><p>Heatley skated for the first time Dec. 23, then joined his teammates for the first time in a pregame skate about 10 days ago.</p><p>He was charged with vehicular homicide after Snyder died from head injuries. Test results showed Heatley consumed a small amount of alcohol before the crash, with his blood alcohol content less than 0.015 percent, below Georgias legal limit of 0.08 percent.</p><p>Because Heatley wasnt drunk, and Snyders relatives said they forgave him, prosecutors could decide the crash was just an accident, with no need to pursue felony charges, which carry sentences ranging from three to 15 years.</p><p>After leading the Southeast Division for much of the season, Atlanta has dropped to second, six points behind Tampa Bay. The Thrashers are tied for ninth in the Eastern Conference with the New York Rangers, four points behind the eighth and final playoff spot.</p>
