Father, brother of Dan Snyder end silence

<p>The father and brother of Dan Snyder spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since the Atlanta Thrashers forward died of injuries sustained in an auto accident with teammate Dany Heatley.</p><p>I think Dan represented what a lot of us, especially in Canada as hockey parents or just as parents, idealize or dream about, Graham Snyder, Dans father, said in the interview with the Canadian sports network TSN. He was a testament to hard work, perseverance and chasing after his dreams.</p><p>Snyder died Oct. 5 at the age of 25 from head injuries suffered in the accident on Sept. 29 in Atlanta. Heatley, 22, was the driver and has been charged with vehicular homicide.</p><p>The senior Snyder said his family has supported Heatley throughout and never blamed him for the accident.</p><p>Theres a number of reasons for that support, he said. I think the main reason is that we understand that in life people make mistakes, they act foolishly sometimes, but when you look into their heart you can see, or we can see anyway, that Dany Heatley didnt have recklessness in his heart. It was an accident that happened.</p><p>Its very difficult to deal with, but for Dany its probably tougher to deal with than anybody else.</p><p>Heatley, the MVP of last years NHL All-Star game, continues to recover from knee surgery and a broken jaw, injuries sustained in the accident. Heatley attended Snyders funeral but has not yet spoken to the media.</p><p>I speak to him on a semi-regular basis, said Jake Snyder, Dans brother. I think obviously hes having a very hard time dealing with this but I think its helped him a lot going through rehab and being with all the players.</p><p>Prior to Wednesdays interview, the only words Graham Snyder had spoken publicly since his sons death was reading a statement at a news conference following a memorial service on Oct. 10 in his hometown of Elmira, Ontario.</p><p>Luann Snyder, Dan Snyders mother, spoke to the Waterloo Region Record in a story the newspaper published Tuesday.</p><p>Graham Snyder said the family still doesnt know all the details surrounding the accident. He thanked the Thrashers, the community of Elmira and everyone who gave the Snyders support the past three weeks.</p><p>I just want those people to know, who have called, who have wrote, who have prayed, that we have been able to stay strong, not because we are strong people but because they have cared enough to help us and give their support, he said.</p><p>On Monday, when the Thrashers played the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre, the Snyder family and friends were invited to the game. A message of remembrance was displayed on the video screens above center ice during a stoppage in play.</p><p>I wasnt sure at first when they invited us to the game whether I wanted to go or not, Jake Snyder said. Dan hadnt had a chance to play in Toronto.</p><p>For someone from this area thats such a big deal. He just wanted to play against the Leafs, I know that was something he was looking forward to doing. That made things a bit more difficult, but it also helped that there were a lot of his friends and family there.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/10/185092