Snyder Set To Return To Seals' Blue Line
June 2, 2006 - SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - All professional athletes strive to find a comfort zone. It is a place where they are happy and that allows them to thrive and prosper.
Lawne Snyder has found his zone - and it is right here in Central Florida.
The Florida Seals and Coach Tommy Stewart announced today that they have reached an agreement with Snyder that will return the hard-working defenseman to the ice surface at the Silver Spurs Arena this fall.
"I came down (to Florida) and found a home down here," said the 26 year old native of Barrie, Ontario. "There's a good group of fans and I have a good relationship with Tommy which always helps. I'm looking forward to continuing that on."
Snyder, the last player added to the Seals' roster before the start of the 2005-2006 season, came to Kissimmee after starting his pro career with the Augusta Lynx in 2004-2005 followed by a short stint in Germany. Last season, he posted his best professional numbers with 9 goals and 19 assists while playing a steady brand of defense.
"He's definitely a catalyst back there," said Coach Stewart about Snyder. "I think one of the most important, crucial elements he brings to the team is that he's a good puck mover. He can make that tape-to-tape pass out of the zone and give a breakaway pass."
It was that puck handling ability along with a booming, accurate shot that made Snyder a key cog in much of the Seals' power play success during the season.
"He's great on the power play. He's got a heck of a shot. He's very gifted offensively," said Stewart. "Basically his job with our team this year was to run the power play. Our PP wasn't as good as I wanted it to be but Lawne Snyder was as good as you can get."
The confidence with which Snyder played was never more evident than in Game 3 of the SPHL quarterfinals against Fayetteville. With the best-of-three series tied at 1-1 and the game tied at 0-0 going into the final minute of regulation, Snyder held the offensive blue line and intercepted a FireAntz clearing pass. His shot on net was stopped but the rebound was put home by teammate Rob Sich with just over a minute remaining to clinch the series and propel the Seals toward the finals.
"When I went overseas and began the year in Germany, I was a different player when I went over there. I was more of a carefree player and I think that when I came back here I brought that back with me," Snyder said of his play. "I found a place for me here where Tommy is going to let me play and if I make a mistake, I make a mistake. It's not the end of the world and that played a huge part in it."
Snyder, who will be working at summer hockey camps in Fort Lauderdale and Vermont over the next few weeks, was also very impressed with how active and friendly the fans were.
"It's always new and interesting when you're coming to a new place that you've never been to before. I've been here on vacations when I was younger but to actually live down here and see what goes on in the community, it's unreal," he said. "I've met some great people down here - a couple of families that I'm still in contact with at least once or twice a week."
"I think that's the biggest part of this team - not necessarily playing hockey but its meeting people," he added. "You never know down the road after your career is done, some of these people may be able to help you out."
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SPHL Stories from June 2, 2006
- Jim Riggs completes his assignment with Pee Dee Cyclones - Twin City Cyclones
- Snyder Set To Return To Seals' Blue Line - Florida Seals
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