Atlanta Thrashers' Dan Heatley, second from right, and teammates attend a graveside service for teammate Dan Snyder in Elmira, Ont., Friday. (Ryan Remiorz/CP)
Elmira, Ont. — The Atlanta Thrashers said goodbye to their teammate Dan Snyder Friday and tearfully contemplated life without someone who was a daily reminder that life is meant to be fun and that almost all obstacles can be overcome with hard work.
No one will carry that burden more than Dany Heatley, Snyder's friend and teammate who was behind the wheel of the Ferrari in the fatal crash. Snyder, 25, died of massive brain injuries just as he was about to start his first full season in the National Hockey League.
Heatley, who suffered serious knee injuries and a broken jaw in the crash, made his way into the Elmira Mennonite Church on crutches. His face swollen from his injuries, Heatley was accompanied by his parents and looked emotionally devastated. During the funeral service and at a news conference later in the day, Heatley was the subject of remarkable acts of forgiveness by Snyder's brother Jake and his parents, Graham and LuAnn.
"The friendship between Dan and Dany Heatley was very special," Graham Snyder said at the news conference. "The common thread they shared through playing hockey made them close in ways that only teammates can describe. He always talked about his friend and roommate and relished the time they spent together.
"We are all human beings. We know we all can make mistakes. We want you all to know we do not lay any blame on Dany Heatley for the accident that took our son from us. Dany is a good person and no one feels more sorry for what happened than he does.
"Forgiveness is also a part of being human and we know there is nothing to gain from harbouring anger and resentment toward others. We are here to support him through this difficult time and know that he, too, is hurting so much."
Police estimated Heatley's car was going in excess of 130 kilometres an hour when it left the road in Atlanta and crashed. The police said yesterday that tests results showed Heatley was not drunk at the time of the accident.
Snyder never regained consciousness and died last Sunday. He was buried yesterday in his hometown in front of the Thrashers, many prominent National Hockey League people and Heatley, who was granted permission by a Georgia judge to attend because he is facing vehicular homicide charges. There was no anger on the part of Snyder and Heatley's teammates either, as they said their first concerns were to mourn Snyder and support Heatley as he tries to recover from the physical and emotional devastation.
"No, it was an accident," said Brad Tapper, who was Snyder's roommate when they both played for the Chicago Wolves, the Thrashers' farm team last season. "We're all there for him to lean on."
Thrashers captain Shawn McEachern said, "To tell you the truth, today I'm just thinking about [Snyder]. We just had a funeral for one of our teammates. We're also thinking about another one who has a tough road ahead of him."
The physical side of that tough road begins with rehabilitation for his knee injuries that most expect will keep Heatley out for the entire season, although Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said earlier this week he is hopeful his young star can return earlier. Recovering emotionally is a different matter, both for Heatley and his teammates. The Thrashers, at the request of Snyder's family, went ahead with their season opener on Thursday.
