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Flyers' Ed Snider tribute patches unveiled

The Flyers will wear patches on their jerseys bearing Ed Snider's initials to pay tribute to the passing of the team's founder and longtime chairman.

When the Flyers opened their playoff series in Washington on Thursday, the players wore patches on their sleeves with the letters EMS as a tribute to club chairman and co-founder Ed Snider, who died Monday at 83.

The letters stand for Edward Malcolm Snider.

"Over the last couple months as we were battling for a playoff spot, he was battling hard and kind of enjoying what was going on with the team," defenseman Nick Schultz said before the game. "It was special to play for him. Obviously, he's looking down and watching. There's going to be a lot of pride [in this series], with everything he's done for this city and organization and to bring it to Philadelphia and what he's done throughout the years.

"Guys understand what's gone on in the history here," Schultz added, "so it's special to go out there and play for him, for sure."

Before the game at the Verizon Center, there was a moment of silence for Snider, who grew up in Washington.

Coach Dave Hakstol was asked if the emotion of the week could carry into Thursday and into the series.

"I think that's with us and within our players," he said before the opening faceoff. "I don't think we want to make that a rallying cry. I don't think that's respectful to Mr. Snider or to his family. But certainly, we carry him with us every step of the way here."

Center Sean Couturier called it a sad week.

"Everywhere you go in Philly, everyone knew the news. That's how involved he was in the community and how he gave back to the people in Philly," he said.

Couturier said the players will show their respect "by just going out there and giving all we've got."

In Kensington, in a tribute to Snider, a mural was painted on the side of the home of Kaseir Archie, a graduate of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. The mural, painted by those from the neighborhood, included Snider's name and the words "THANK YOU."

The house sits across the street from the Scanlon Ice Rink, which was refurbished by the Ed Snider Youth Foundation, making it operational year-round.

A public celebration of Snider's life is to be held Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center at 1 p.m. The doors are to open at 11:30 a.m.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

@BroadStBull www.philly.com/flyersblog