Ed Snider is eternally grateful for the many ways that hockey has enriched his own life. Out of respect for the sport and the athletes who play it, he wanted to do something for those individuals who have not been exposed to the game of hockey.

In 2005, Mr. Snider made this dream a reality by creating the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation to give underserved children an opportunity to play the "greatest game ever invented." The Foundation provides children in the greater Philadelphia region with the equipment, ice time and experienced coaching needed to play hockey. In addition, it aims to supplement their academic and personal development by stressing the importance of schoolwork and citizenship skills.

2005 to 2006 – THE INAUGURAL SEASON

In its first season, ESYHF forged a unique partnership with the School District of Philadelphia to provide a Learn to Play Hockey program to elementary and middle school boys and girls, ages 7 – 12, during the school day as an integral part of their physical education curriculum. As a result, the Foundation was able to host fifteen (15) schools and approximately 450 students at three (3) rinks throughout Philadelphia.

2006 to 2008 – CONTINUED GROWTH & EXPANSION OF PROGRAMMING

ESYHF built upon initial activities by developing new programming in an effort to increase the number of ESYHF participants. In a new initiative for the summer months, ESYHF introduced summer hockey camps by hosting a series of summer hockey camps during June, July and August at the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in NE Philadelphia. The camps were designed to help further develop ice hockey skills during the summer and were a huge success for everyone involved.

The 2007-2008 season also saw the introduction of ESYHF’s After School Program. Over 500 Philadelphia students hit the ice at 7 city rinks throughout the year. These evening practices were intended to provide students with a fun after school activity in a safe environment by introducing new players to the sport of hockey, as well as further developing the skills of existing players.

2008 to Present – CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD

As the Foundation continues to grow, major emphasis is being placed on the introduction of competitive games for ESYHF participants. During the 2008-2009 season, ESYHF formed rink teams at three (3) of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation Rinks. Players from the Laura Sims Skate House, Scanlon Ice Rink, and Simons Ice Rink played a series of home-and-home games during February & March, 2009. The games were a huge success and moving forward, ESYHF is planning to form rink teams at all locations, including Rizzo Rink in South Philadelphia, Tarken Ice Rink in NE Philadelphia, and at the two Skate Zone facilities in NE Philadelphia and Pennsauken, NJ.

Beginning in September, 2009, ESYHF began forming select teams featuring the most advanced players in the program at the Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget U-16 and Midget U-18 USA Hockey age groups. During the 2009-2010 season, these teams will compete in a series of exhibition games against local and regional competition. ESYHF has also formed a select high school team. Known as the “Wolf Pack”, the high school team will play a full schedule of games against local varsity and JV teams. All of the select teams currently practice and play out of the Penn Ice Rink, located in University City.