Sports Columnists

By Badger

January 3, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with Jeff. As a Wisconsin alum I had the opportunity to meet Dany several times. He visited with our local alumni group after a game on two occassions and was very generous with his time. He took every picture, signed every autograph, spoke with each person there, especially the kids. We all appreciated his effort to be a part our our small portion of this community.

The fact that Dany wanted to resume his career elsewhere doesn’t bother me. But his lack of committment to repaying the community with his time, not his play, does bother me. Maybe some fault should go to DA Paul Howard for not fighting for some mandagted service in Atlanta, but Dany needs to stand up and give back to this city that gave him more support that anyone could have asked for. I cheer for Dany still as a hcokey player, and hope he’s successful, but I boo as an Atlantan who feels he needs to fulfil the terms of his sentance in the community he affected.

By Jack

January 3, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

Thanks Jeff. I can’t believe the Thrashers players are questioning the fans. Aren’t they supposed to be kissing our backside after missing a whole season ? Talk about a slap in the face. Just play the game and be thankful you have fans..period. As for booing Heatley…the fans have a right to feel a little jilted by his actions following the trade. The accident put aside, he has said some insulting things about the fans of Atlanta..including the one in the article in todays paper..

By Yo yo yo

January 3, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

Badger’s statements have proven 2 things:

1. You can get a good education at the University of Wisconsin in human psychology

2. You cannot get a good education at the University of Wisconsin in spelling.

By DarTurdryl Palms

January 3, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

I am using this column as a forum to come out of the closet.

By Alison

January 3, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

I never thought I would say this, but I completely agree with Jeff on this whole subject. For me, however, now that I have booed him, I have closed that chapter and moved on. Bring on the Canes!

By Turd

January 3, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

I like Hawaiian shirts.

By Marian H.

January 3, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

Dear Darren Eliot,

You were shocked by the fan reaction regarding Dany Heatley at the game on January 2nd. I would like to take a moment of your time to explain my feelings that are most certainly shared by 95% of the loyal fans that booed Dany.

No one blamed him for wanting to leave. You, the team, and everyone involved in the organization had closure when EVERYTHING was laid out and you knew all of the details of the request to leave and ultimate trade. I am not asking for any of those details.

The fans DID NOT get to experience the closure necessary for us, as we too, were a part of this sad chapter of the Atlanta Thrashers. We shared the understanding that the expectations of a great season were gone after the accident, shared the patience and support for Dany’s recouperation and legal problems, and felt like we shared the victory of seeing Dany regain his abilities to play hockey and get on with his life.

Dany and his handlers did a disservice to the fans that stood by him by not holding even a 5 minute taped press conference in which Dany could have read the prepared statement from his agency. The news could have shown the clip, the AJC could have posted a picture, or Philips Arena could have aired the comments at a pre-season game before warm-ups. Anything so that Dany could have “personnally” said goodbye and thank you. He would have gotten that standing ovation on Monday.

I, and others listened to the Ottawa radio station on “meet the players” day up there where Heatley gave his first interview. The only thing he said about Atlanta was that, “they never really won down there.” He also said he was glad to be where people “recognized him on the street.” Those things, even if not meant to offend, were his last words to us, the fans. That is what we have as closure.

We fans love our hockey team and are furiously loyal. Some still hold loyalty to the “Knights” of the IHL during the National Anthem! We would appreciate you letting the 2005-06 team know that the fans are 100% behind this team and any of it’s players no matter what. But we are all people with feelings, also.

Sincerely,

Atlanta Flames, Atlanta Knights, Atlanta Thrashers Fans.

By Brendan

January 3, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Jeff Schultz, for being a beacon of sanity in the insane world of those who think the City’s image has been tarnished by booing players on an opposing team at a hockey game.

What color is the sky in their world?

By Brendan

January 3, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

I want to add something else. The fans have the right to feel how they do about Dany Heatley. Whichever way that may be.

Some have compassion and understanding. Others feel like there is a knife in their back.

Now, as for the players, well. Who likes being booed, right? I’d wager none of them do.

But guess what? Fans boo in every arena in the league. If they’re “hyper-sensitive” about that, they can opt for another profession. I doubt it will pay as well. But who knows? Stock market brokers sometimes make a killing.

Dany Heatley did do something wrong, in my opinion. He drove irresponsibly. And it cost someone his life. Tragic? Yes. Forgiveable? Yes. It was, apparently, ruled an accident.

Fine.

But the fans who supported Dany Heatley and stood by him and DEFENDED him during accusations of Heatley’s “celebrity athlete preferential status” felt betrayed by the post-lockout era decision to abandon the very fans and organization that supported him.

To truly “own” his accountability, he really should have given at least “some” of those speeches in the community that he endangered.

I think Heatley deserved a second chance. I’m just sorry that this is how he felt he needed to go about getting it.

By Ryan

January 3, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this

Marian H?, thank you for your post it is the most respectful thing I have read all day. Your opinion was nicely put and taken.

Go Thrashers!

By JB

January 3, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this

Save all the self righteous crap for little Susie`s U9 soccer game. Give me a good hard check, a few teeth knocked out, some blood on the ice, Exelby kicking the snot out of Domi and yes the fans booing Heatley. Somewhere in there is probably a good hockey game too. This is the NHL. Deal with it!!

By briton

January 3, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

I’ve read all the reasons why everyone thinks they were betrayed by Heatley. Given the circumstances though I know that I could never feel ill-will towards Dany. It’s one of Brendan’s agree to disagree issues.

But I have to take issue with something that Jeff, and others before him, wrote. Maybe this is because of my own experience needing to leave a place to move on, but I don’t think Dany was “running away” from his problems. I think the choice to start over shows that he’s trying to move on, often the hardest thing to do. If you’re faced with bad memories day after day you tend to live in the past. It takes a lot of strength and courage

I can’t speak for Dany personally of course, but I know that I wouldn’t have felt like the city was behind me when so many people wanted me in jail. Maybe he didn’t really feel like he had the support here that everyone thinks he had. If that’s the case, then it’s not so outrageous that someone wouldn’t feel indebted to this city. Just me theorizing though…

Oh, and please don’t leave the Gladiators out of mention when listing Atlanta’s past and present teams.

By jason

January 3, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this

If they were an Atlanta team, the Gladiators would have Atlanta in their name.

By Gene

January 4, 2006 08:01 AM | Link to this

Heatley was treated differently by the legal system. Maybe that is what the fans were booing. The right to boo is included in the ticket price.

By Jim

January 4, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

Good message, Jeff, and many good points raised in the various messages. Time to move on. Good luck to Dany with the Senators and let’s get the Thrash into the playoffs.

By Alex

January 4, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

The Senators return to Phillips Arena March 10th, I’ll be there to help “continue” the “booing”. It’s time Danny who used to be my hero came back to town and faced the music. Go Trashers!

By John Crawford

January 4, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

A Heatly press conference after the trade, thanking the city for all of their support through the rough times… and we would have wished him well… and gave him a standing ovation instead of boo’s…

By Arnie

January 4, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

Bold:”When he finally started his community service, he did NONE OF IT in Atlanta. The predominant number of hours have been done in his hometown of Calgary. Wouldn’t it seem that this was the best place Heatley could send a message to kids about the dangers of driving too fast?

Italic: What a blatant attempt to seize the moral highground. Absolutely pathetic. The Trashers have a right to be ashamed of their fans after they behaved like complete buffoons. Crass, tasteless, moronic, blood thristy hipocrits.

“Oh we wish him well, we’re just mad he didn’t give his talks here. We don’t blame him for leaving, just the way he left.” What does that mean? That you KNOW he left for good reasons, you UNDERSTAND how difficult it was for him to stay….and now all this backpeddling as to why you are actually mad at him, because it would be too politically incorrect to be mad at him for actually wanting to get his life back on track.

He gave his talks to kids that would be most influenced by his words, kids that actually know who he is. Kids in a city that know and care for him no matter which team he plays for. A city that will stand by him and not pummel him with abuse simply to “get it out of their systems”.

Keep making up excuses Atlanta. Those who know Heatley personally have only good to say about him. Hats off to those in the Thrasher’s organization that publically criticized their fans. That in itself speaks volumes about Dany Heatley!

By briton

January 4, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

And all this time I thought Gwinnett was a part of metro Atlanta! I guess the Thrashers should find new practive ice inside the city limits to truly be an Atlanta team. I think many Thrashers’ fans failed to see the difference when they found a home there during the lockout. The Glads are part of the Thrashers organization and fans should be proud to have them around…especially since they made the playoffs during their first two seasons. It is so frustrating to see people blow off the Glads when they are the future of this team.

By Puppet, Please!

January 4, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

Has it escaped the fact to everyone that Dan Snyder is dead because of Danny Heatley and his wreckless behaivor? As in, won’t draw another breath, see another day or feel a loved one’s touch again? I am sorry that Danny is suffering, but he is responsible for the death of Dan Snyder and he should suffer with that memory to pay pennance for that loss. What kind of real man, or human for that matter, seeks to shirk that responsibility? I wouldn’t want that burden but he owes it to Dan Snyder and his memory to accept that burden and pay homage to that life that was lost. As a man, Danny Heatley should be ashamed that he doesn’t want to be reminded of the events that transpired in Atlanta that lead to his conviction for vehicular manslaughter. He should be thankful he had the broad support and forgiveness of the community and a public outlet to show that gratitude by playing for that community. Dan Snyder and Danny Heatley were drawn together by their love of hockey and their abilty to excell at that sport. They were freinds that played on the same team, that sweat,toiled and physically suffered to reach the same goal. A goal that was a LIFES dream for each of them. What a service to the memory of Dan Snyder and the unbelievable compassion of Dan Snyders parents and family, would it be for Danny Heatly to help the Thrashers win a Stanly Cup and dedicate it to the memory of his friend. Well I guess to Danny Heatly, Dan Snyder didn’t deserve that kind of commitment. If you think I am being a litle hard on poor Danny, please remember poor Dan Snyder and try to imagine being his father, mother, sister or brother who will no longer see their loved one. They won’t be able to espape the memory of Dan Snyder, but then again they don’t want to. Had I been at the game I don’t think I would have boo’d I would have just turned my back, much the same as Danny Heatley did to us all. Of course, what most of feel doesn’t mean anything to Danny Heatly. He is rich, his body has healed and he has a new luxury home address in Canada as well as, I’m sure, a nice new Ferrari. Essentially as little to bother him about his deceased friend as possible. What a sad ending to a very sad story.

By Other Mark

January 4, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

Puppet Please — you just showed in your posting what Dany Heatley saw throughout his trial. On the one hand you say this city supported him after just having said that he killed a man through his own reckless behavior and should pay the price.

The fact is, many people that live through tragedy - even those they made themselves - must get a change of climate to recover emotionally. Other postings have said very well that Heatley would probably not be having the great season he is having now if he were still here and getting the daily reminders of what happened. He has to live with his best friend’s passing everyday anyway - regardless of where he lives. If he can do it without the physical reminders, so be it. The Thrashers and DW understood that, so it really doesn’t matter if the fans do or not.

As far as deserving boos, Jeff - you’re totally wrong on this one. Maybe a short burst when he is introduced, but booing everytime he touches a puck, every time his name is uttered? No, no one deserves that, not even Terence Moore!

By Puppet, Please!

January 4, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

“Other”, I respect that opinion. But without the fans and their money, most of these players wouldn’t be able to earn more than a middle class wage. So THEY should care what we think. I know as a fan I supported Danny before the trade, he was even my favorite player. I wanted him to succeed as a Thrasher BECAUSE of what he was going through. Waddel BTW would not have traded him if all he got was Greg DeVries. He traded him because he got very good value for someone that may have become a mental defective. If Heatly can’t deal with being in Atlanta because the memories make him suffer then I guess he might as well skip the playoffs because wherever he goes he will be reminded with vigor. At least if he was in Atlanta 95% of the populace would be with him…as I was.

By Brendan

January 4, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

If everybody thought exactly the same about Dany Heatley, the world would be a boring place. I think agreeing to disagree is the greatest aspect of Free Speech.

I am glad that Dany Heatley is able to move on with his life. I certainly don’t wish him any ill will. There are no Dany Heatley “voodoo dolls” in my house. But I’m not going to cheer for him when he’s playing against the Thrashers.

When I reflect on Dany Heatley’s career, wherever it takes him, I’ll always be disappointed that he chose not to remain in Atlanta as he made his move to better his life.

I understand the choice he made. I just didn’t like it.

By Arnie

January 4, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

*”At least if he was in Atlanta 95% of the populace would be with him…as I was. *

Puppet, do you even see the irony in that comment?

On the one hand you criticize Heatley for not remaining in Atlanta and accepting the painful reminders that exist there (like a man should). And in the above quote, you say he should have stayed because he would have the support of the populace. So in your opinion, he’s a man if he stays where he’s safe and accepted no matter what he does. He’s not a man because he left Atlanta where he’s supported and ventured off into another city dragging his trunk-load of baggage with him, uncertain of how he would be received?

By Puppet, Please!

January 4, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

Here, Here Brendan. I don’t hate Danny Heatly nor wish him ill will. I’m just disappointed in him for leaving. Sorry if my post took on that vain. I just wanted to illustrate we should be thinking more about Dan Snyder and his family as opposed to how Danny Heatley feels about getting boo’d. Some perspective if you will. As a premiere player on an elite opposing team though I hope all Thrasher fans boo him and try to shake his confidence as much as they would any other player that would be trying to beat us. He certainly deserves worse treatment than Matthew Barnaby, who used to get the worst boos around here.

By Other Mark

January 4, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Puppet - you’re right, we should not expect everyone to cheer Dany as tho’ he were still here. But, Monday’s booing was overdone. We don’t boo Barnaby everytime he touches the puck, or Domi for that matter! Those two guys are thugs and are hated here - yet we treat them better than we did Dany.

I just think it’s over now - let him be and let’s just ignore him in the future. No reaction either way has always been kind of a backhanded slap without the side effects.

I, like you, wish he were still here, but I love my Hossa jersey ——

By Puppet, Please!

January 4, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

Arnie, I don’t think even you know what you are talking about. You obviously know very little about hockey. Did Heatly think things would be easier in Hockey Heaven, aka Ottawa. You bet your a*. They don’t care about his past, just about his future winning Stanly Cups there. His “truck load of baggage” just became a compact.

Do you even understand how cruel the fans in Philadelphia and New York will be to him in the playoffs? And if you can’t grasp why it is more honorable to stay in Atlanta and try and make the best of it,I won’t be able to convince you.

Maybe it doesn’t make him a MAN to try and make things work here, but it would show he has inner strength and depth of character. I know if this had happened to me I would want to do right by everyone that believed in me and that doesn’t include moving to another city and besmirching my former employer by saying they didn’t have what it took to win. Sounds kind of selfish to me.

By briton

January 4, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

The Snyder family accepted Dany’s remorse and forgave him for what happened. When Heatley asked for the trade the Snyder family came out and said that yes, they would have liked for Dany to stay and win a cup in Atlanta but they understood his reasons for wanting to leave and supported his decision. To me, that speaks volumes, they are after all the ones most affected by what happened.

I don’t think Dany or anyone else is trying to forget Dan or his family. I think that you’ll find in the circle of friends that Dan and Dany shared, there is support and understanding for Heatley while still a sense of loss and special place in everyone’s hearts for Snydes.

By briton

January 4, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

The Snyder family accepted Dany’s remorse and forgave him for what happened. When Heatley asked for the trade the Snyder family came out and said that yes, they would have liked for Dany to stay and win a cup in Atlanta but they understood his reasons for wanting to leave and supported his decision. To me, that speaks volumes, they are after all the ones most affected by what happened and stood by Dany more than anyone.

I don’t think Dany or anyone else is trying to forget Dan or his family. I think that you’ll find in the circle of friends that Dan and Dany shared, there is support and understanding for Heatley while still a sense of loss and special place in everyone’s hearts for Snydes.

By briton

January 4, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

The Snyder family accepted Dany’s remorse and forgave him for what happened. When Heatley asked for the trade the Snyder family came out and said that yes, they would have liked for Dany to stay and win a cup in Atlanta but they understood his reasons for wanting to leave and supported his decision. To me, that speaks volumes, they are after all the ones most affected by what happened and yet, stood by Dany more than anyone.

I don’t think Dany or anyone else is trying to forget Dan or his family. I think that you’ll find in the circle of friends that Dan and Dany shared, there is support and understanding for Heatley while still a sense of loss and special place in everyone’s hearts for Snydes.

By briton

January 4, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

oops, don’t know how that happened, sorry :-)

By Punky

January 4, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Everyone knows why Dany Heatley left Atlanta…and the fans that booed him selfishly feel betrayed by his voluntary departure, that he specifically asked to be traded away. Interesting that they are less concerned with his part in the tragic accident that killed a friend and teammate (a much bigger tragedy than his decision to pursue his career in Ottawa, certainly), but rather they feel that, in return for their support throughout this nightmare, he “repaid� his loyal fans by leaving them high and dry.

Selfish to be thinking of themselves, that their “loyalty� ought be “rewarded� by expecting this young man relive a nightmare every day of his life (as if he won’t do that no matter where in the world he is) in a city who won’t let him forget, if only because his “loyal� fans will constantly remind him that he owes them.

While he might have done his fans the honor of publicly acknowledging their unfailing support, let’s try to remember that he is a young man who is merely trying to heal and move on with his life as best he can. Yes, it was perhaps a poor judgment call that he neglected to acknowledge the positive sentiments directed his way throughout his ordeal, but the fans had no right to expect such a jesture. They chose to support him (“chose” being the operative word), and are now withdrawing that support and behaving so disrespectfully because they feel somehow jilted.

It was tacky and mean-spirited to have booed him. Shame on these fans for their deplorable behavior, for their selfish disregard for Dany Heatley’s feelings and mental welfare, and for mistakenly believing that their support, for which they’ve been proudly patting themselves on the back, gives them a sense of entitlement over him, his personal (and likely painful) decisions, or his career. If these fans truly supported Dany Heatley, that “support” should be extended to include his decision to leave Atlanta with all its devastating reminders in an effort to heal and move on. And it should include treating him with the respect they showed him before he left. He’s not any less deserving of it just because he chose not to continue his career in a city that now haunts him.

By Arnie

January 4, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

Sorry Puppet, I should have quoted you further.

“If Heatly can’t deal with being in Atlanta because the memories make him suffer then I guess he might as well skip the playoffs because wherever he goes he will be reminded with vigor. At least if he was in Atlanta 95% of the populace would be with him…as I was. “

I understood you to imply that Heatley would not get the kind of support in Ottawa that he received in Atlanata “At least…. in Atlanta 95% of the populace would be with him.”

“Do you even understand how cruel the fans in Philadelphia and New York will be to him in the playoffs? And if you can’t grasp why it is more honorable to stay in Atlanta and try and make the best of it,I won’t be able to convince you.”

Philly and New York can’t possibly be any more cruel than Atlanata. Thank you for preparing him for what will come. And if you cant possibly grasp why it is more honourable for Atlantans to wish him well and be proud of what they did to help him instead of viciously turning on him, then I won’t be able to convince you.

By Brendan

January 4, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said that when it comes to sports “fandom,” we’re essentially rooting for colors. We’re rooting for clothes.

I laughed, because it’s true.

A dirty little secret that all the owners know is … if you put night janitors, insurance adjusters, and painters in a Thrashers uniforms [during a lockout,] the fans will cheer for them. Especially if they win. But shhh. Don’t tell anyone.

I don’t want that getting around town.

I suspect that, over time, I’ll find myself cheering for Heatley in non-Thrasher games. But always, in the back of my mind, I’ll be thinking, “here’s the guy who OPTED to LEAVE rather than CONFRONT.”

Well, that’s certainly easy for me to say, I’m not in Heatley’s shoes.

Okay, I admit it. I’m not in Dany Heatley’s shoes. But I think the best to way confront life’s decisions and dilemmas is “head on.”

Own your fears, and try to conquer them.

If you do it, you’ll feel more empowered than ever before. Granted, that’s easier said than done. But I’m a believer in the “at least give it a try” theory. I also believe that “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

I suppose that it’s a shortcoming in my own character that as the years roll steadily by … I’ll think of Dany more in terms of how “he was once a Thrasher” more than I’ll think of him as, sayy, a “reckless driver” or being “convicted of vehicular manslaughter.”

But, whenever it is that the Thrashers win the Stanley Cup, all Thrasher fans who were around for the Dan Snyder years will think of Dan Snyder during the celebrations. Especially, if Hossa and deVries are still on the team when it happens. After all, Hossa and deVries are HERE … BECAUSE of Dan Snyder, if only indirectly. They’re here because Heatley opted out.

When I first heard about the accident, I was extremely saddened and expectedly nervous. The announcement came over my car radio as “Two members of the Atlanta Thrashers were in a serious automobile accident in Buckhead, one is in a coma.”

My heart sank. And I won’t lie. I didn’t know who it was, as they hadn’t been identified yet. But I said, “please not Heatley or Kovalchuk! Please not Heatley or Kovalchuk!”

That might make me a bad person, or a selfish one. But it’s honestly what I felt at the moment.

When I heard that it was Dan Snyder in a coma and Dany Heatley, in stable condition, my next thought was, “Thank God no one was killed.”

I suppose that’s better reaction than “There goes our hockey season!” or “But will they ever play hockey again?”

With the new knowledge that I have of the Heatley crash, supplied by Briton, I believe what happened was an “accident.”

Webster’s 9th Collegiate Dictionary defines accident as “an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance; an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part o the person injured, but for which legal relief may be sought; an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness or ignorance.”

By Puppet, Please!

January 4, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

“Other Mark”- HOSSA!!! HOSSA!! HOSSA!!! I can get behind that. I hope we get a chance to shout it into late May.

I guess I’ll have to cop to being a jerk. I understand why everybody wants to wish Danny well and not have him boo’ed. It just bothers me that Heatly didn’t really try to give it a go here (see Jeff’s columns about how he spent his time since the last time he played here) and leaves to go to a better team and will probably play for the Stanly Cup this spring. It just seems unfair and unjust. To hear him speak of the team and city in less than glowing terms didn’t help either. We fans are human too and have a right to feel jilted and be upset. Booing may not have been the appropriate thing to do but since Heatly wasn’t taking appointments for one on one sitdowns, that was our only way to communicate our displeasure with his option to leave. You have to take the bad with the good you know. Hey, if that makes me a jerk, then jerk I am. But I’m a fair jerk darnit!

By Puppet, Please!

January 4, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

Nice post Brendan, I concur with your sentiments. I hope we get to celebrate for Dan someday.

By Brendan

January 4, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

Me, too, Puppet. Me, too.

I had always hoped that when the Thrashers hoisted the Cup that Dany Heatley would be wearing the “C” and dedicating the victory to Dan.

But, clearly, that ship has sailed.

By tim

January 4, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this

It was a Georgia judge who gave him permission to do the talks in Canada.(He spoke in more locations than just Calgary.) Theres nothing to stop the team from dedicating any trophy they win to the memory of anyone they choose. They just have to A: make the playoffs first.B: Win 16 playoff games in the same season before they dedicate anything.

By briton

January 4, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

I’m glad that someone was interested on what light I could shed. The second half of the first definition of accident is “lack of intention or necessity.” I bring that up only because misdemeanor vehicular homicide as defined under GA law is exaclty that, “[a]ny person who causes the death of another person, without an intention to do so…”

I heard pretty quickly who was involved in the accident and what was going on. I stood by as friends of mine suffered through the days following the accident, Dan’s death, and Dany’s legal troubles. It was a difficult thing to watch. Because of that, my perspective is slanted towards the human side of this and not the hockey side.

Add to that the fact that I myself left a place to escape constant reminders of a tragedy in order to start over and move on. So yes, I feel for Dany and I will continue to support him and hope for the best for him. I can understand fans’ disappointment, but given the circumstances I personally have a hard time seeing how people can be so harsh. I know others have different opinions.

I do agree with Brendan’s sentiments though that for those players and fans around for Snydes, the first cup will be, at least in part, in his memory. That would be one heck of a gesture towards his family.

By Scott

January 4, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this

You people don’t make sense. The reason the guy was booed was because all he’s done is knocked the fans in Atlanta. At his press conference in Ottawa, he said, “They didn’t really win down there”. “They”? Heatley you were part of the losing too. And he continued to knock the fans saying how it was nice to be somewhere where they would recognize him on the street. You know what Dany? I bet alot of people in Atlanta could recognize you because you were all in the papers due to the death of your former teammate. Heatley needs a firm lesson of when to shut his mouth.