PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney today issued the following statement on the passing of Flyers founder and Chairman Ed Snider:

“Ed Snider was a sports visionary.  In the face of skeptics, he knew that Philadelphia would embrace the Flyers.  In fact, one of the happiest days of my life came in 1974, when I was 16, and the team won its first Stanley Cup.  Ed Snider also revitalized the Spectrum and built a tremendous arena in the Wells Fargo Center, a venue that not only hosts the Flyers and Sixers but national events like this summer’s Democratic National Convention.

Just as importantly, Ed Snider was a generous man, a philanthropist who cared deeply about this city.  He was devoted to the children of Philadelphia, and was determined to bring the sport of hockey to inner city athletes through the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.  The Foundation helps operate five skating rinks throughout the city that are, for many children, a first opportunity to learn to skate and to play hockey. Ed devoted not only funding to the program, but hours of personal attention.

Ed Snider was a good friend, a kind-hearted man and a first-class mensch.  I will miss him, and I’m sure thousands will miss a man who changed the landscape of the Philadelphia region.

Let’s go Flyers!  Bring Mr. Snider one more Stanley Cup!”