Back to the Philadelphia Flyers Newsfeed

For Flyers, Snider's absence leaves a big hole

This is a bittersweet season for the Flyers.

Sweet because this is the 50th year since the franchise - which has been highly successful despite not winning a Stanley Cup since 1975 - began in a city that had not been a hockey hotbed.

Bitter because the man most responsible for bringing the Flyers to Philadelphia, Ed Snider, died of bladder cancer in April. Without Snider, the many events planned to commemorate the milestone season will be tinged with sadness.

The Flyers open rookie camp Monday and veteran camp Friday. The season starts Oct. 14, and it will be the first one without Snider.