Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award

19 – Forever in our heart

Dan Snyder (February 23, 1978 – October 5, 2003) was signed by the Atlanta Thrashers as a free agent in 1999. During his time in the minor leagues, he was a member of the International Hockey League champion Orlando Solar Bears in 2000-01 and the American Hockey League champion Chicago Wolves in 2001-02. Called up to the National Hockey League, he contributed 10 goals and four assists in 36 games with the Thrashers in 2002-03.

On September 29, 2003, Snyder was critically injured after the Ferrari 360 Modena driven by his teammate, Dany Heatley, struck a wall along Atlanta’s Lenox Road. Both players were ejected from the car, which was split in half by the force of the impact. Snyder suffered a fractured skull and internal brain injuries due to the rapid acceleration / deceleration incident. He lapsed into a coma following emergency surgery, and died six days later on October 5.

For more information about Dan Snyder click here

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DAN SNYDER MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award is given to the Chicago Wolves player who demonstrates the most outstanding dedication to Chicago-area community service each year.

Snyder was a dedicated member of the Chicago Wolves organization off the ice, making numerous appearances in the community and endearing himself to many of the fans who watched him on the ice and met him outside the arena.  During off-days, Snyder made frequent appearances at local libraries to talk to kids about reading through the Wolves “Read to Succeed” program.  He also visited hospitals and appeared at other community events.  Snyder set an example to be followed by future members of the team.

Snyder was just as dedicated on the ice, serving as team captain of his junior team and excelling through hard work as his career progressed.  He made his NHL debut with the Atlanta Thrashers on April 3, 2001, against the Ottawa Senators before tallying two game-winning goals in the Turner Cup Finals for the Orlando Solar Bears, helping them to a 4-games-to-1 victory over the Chicago Wolves. As a member of the Wolves in 2001-02, Snyder continued to score at crucial times, tying an all-time AHL playoff record with five game-winning goals.  With Snyder’s help, the Wolves took home their first Calder Cup championship.

The Wolves keep Snyder’s memory alive in various ways.  A banner bearing his name hangs permanently from the rafters of the Allstate Arena, while the Wolves continue to raise money for charities associated with him.

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Robidas Earns Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award

At the time, Justin Robidas didn’t fully realize how fortunate he was to be able to enjoy the spoils that came along with being the son of a standout NHL player.

As a youngster, Justin often accompanied his dad, Stephane Robidas, to the arena and roamed the dressing room interacting with players during the former NHL All-Star’s lengthy professional career.

“I always took it for granted a little bit and growing up I really realized how lucky and fortunate I was to be a part of that,” Justin said.

Seeing the efforts his father put in toward using his platform as a professional athlete to make a difference in people’s lives also had a major impact on Justin as he developed into one of the American Hockey League’s top talents. It quickly became evident the forward hadn’t just inherited his father’s hockey skills, but also a yearning to help others.

“I was very fortunate to be around my dad and see how he did things,” Robidas said. “I was able to see his presence in the community and his desire to help others. We’re lucky to have this job and platform and a lot of people look up to us so I want to use that to do my part.”

Robidas certainly has and for his strong commitment to helping those in need in the Chicagoland area, the 23-year-old has been honored with a pair of important awards for his charitable contributions during the 2025-26 season.

On Tuesday, the Wolves announced that the Plano, Texas, native has captured the organization’s highest honor, the 2026 Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award.

Each season, a Wolves player receives the award in memory of Snyder, who passed away Oct. 5, 2003, at the age of 25 after suffering head injuries in a car accident. During his two seasons with the Wolves, Snyder set the standard for community service with his tireless commitment to Chicago-area people and charities. On the ice, Snyder scored five game-winning goals during the postseason to help the Wolves capture the 2002 Calder Cup championship.

“It’s a huge honor,” Robidas said. “He meant so much to this organization and I’ve heard nothing but great things about him. I’m just trying to follow what he did and do my part to help the organization and the community as best as I can.”

Robidas is among a stellar list of former Wolves Man of the Year Award honorees that includes Dominic Franco (2024, 2025), Max Lajoie (2023), Oscar Dansk (2020), Tyler Wong (2019), Scooter Vaughan (2018), Brett Sterling (2010, 2017), Pat Cannone (2016), Shane Harper (2015), Michael Davies (2013, 2014), Darren Haydar (2012), Spencer Machacek (2011), Jordan Lavallee (2009), Nathan Oystrick (2008), Brian Sipotz (2007), Karl Stewart (2005, 2006) and Kurtis Foster (2004).

In addition, the Wolves announced Tuesday that Robidas is the team’s winner of 2025-26 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award. The recipient is selected by his respective club for his outstanding contributions to the local community and charitable organizations during the ’25-26 season.

“We obviously don’t help out in the community to gain any awards but it’s awesome to be recognized,” Robidas said. “Each time I put the jersey on or go out in town I represent the Wolves so it’s important to me to be my best.”

While enjoying his finest season on the ice for the Wolves, including being named to the AHL All-Star Classic for the first time, Robidas is putting forth a winning effort in the community.

“I want to do as much as I can to have an impact on peoples’ lives,” Robidas said. “It’s important.”

To that end, he is engaged in a myriad of Wolves charitable initiatives, including spending time with fans and raising money during the organization’s “Night With the Pack” event as well as participating in its “Adopt-A-Dog” and “Read to Succeed” programs. During his two seasons with the Wolves, Robidas has also helped raise thousands of dollars through the team’s “Score For Charity” program.

However, Robidas’ biggest impact has been establishing the “Robidas’ Rising Stars” program that has touched the lives of those less fortunate than him.

Throughout the season, the program enables one family or individual from an underserved community to experience VIP treatment at a Wolves game. The behind-the-scenes experience includes tickets to a game, an exclusive meet-and-greet with Robidas and a tour of the Wolves dressing room.

“Life can be hard and for a night they can maybe forget about things and enjoy themselves,” Robidas said. “I love seeing their smiles and how happy and excited they are to see the dressing room and come to a game.”

No matter the outcome on the ice, Robidas always arrives with a smile on his face and spends more than a fleeting moment with the families. During the tour of the dressing room, Robidas introduces them to teammates, signs autographs and spends time listening and learning from the children.

“After a loss when sometimes you didn’t play your best, just meeting those kids and seeing that there’s more to life makes you realize how special it is for them,” Robidas said. “One bad game feels pretty small when you see what some of those kids are going through so I just try to be there for them.”

After a recent Wolves game, Robidas hosted 12-year-old Evan, whose father died on Evan’s 7^th birthday in May of 2020.

“Justin literally spent about an hour with Evan and his friends,” said Evan’s grandmother, Lauren Fleming. “He took them into the locker room and introduced him to the other players. Evan’s dream was to get a professional hockey stick so he reluctantly asked Justin and Justin was like, ‘no problem!’ He and all the guys signed it.

“I know Evan’s dad was up there totally grinning from ear to ear because of what Justin and the Wolves did for his son,” Fleming added.

The program has touched the lives of many, including a cancer survivor who dropped the ceremonial first puck prior to a recent game and later spent time interacting with Robidas.

Seeing the joy on the faces of those with whom he’s engaged has had a profound impact on Robidas.

“You realize how special it is for them knowing what some of the kids are going through,” he said. “They’re just super-happy to be there and be a part of it. For the parents, too, it helps to see their kids being happy and running around and being so excited. It means a lot.”

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