Dear Dany Heatley

Dear Dany,

It hurts so much to see what you have had to go through the last couple years. I really do feel for you, it must be so painful going through all of this, I know you had no intentions to hurt Dan Snyder or your self that night. Reliving something like this, must be very difficult, personally I do not know how you have any strength to move on with your life. I know I never could (at least not for a long time.) You are a very brave and couragous man and for this I highly admire you. When I first saw that picture of Dan Snyder back in early 2005 I didnt know who he was, but when I read his story I cryed. I called a friend and just sobbed about Dan, when I read what had happend to you, it touched my heart in so many ways. I got the chance to give back and to honor Dan so I took it. I am still working on it, but I know Dan will get the tribute he so deserves. You deserve so much forgiveness and much love. I am going to live the rest of my life show my support and love for you. Each day I worry about you and I pray that you are doing okay. Even though, I am at least 2000 miles away from Atlanta I still want to keep you in my heart always. One day I want to become a professional hockey player just like you, now ever since Dan's passing I try harder at everything I do. See, now that I am into hockey a whole bunch, every professional hockey player is like family to me. So when your and the Snyder's story came around and I read about his passing ( one year and four months later) it felt like it hit home hard. I have set goals to benefit Dan Snyder and not just me. each day I save money a little bit at a time so Dan can get that ice rink in his home town that he wanted. It may take awhile, but it will get done. Your pain, is my pain. (some days more than others) mixed emotions run through me daily but i try to stay focused for both you and Dan Snyder. You have become one of the main concerns in my life. (I havent even met you) but you have impacted my life as well. My life changed and I look at life alot differently now. I slow down when I am speeding in respect for both you and Dan.Over the last month or so since I found out about you two, I look at things with much more appreciation. I never thought any one could change the way I saw things. Then I found out about you and it moved me in a whole different direction. I was planning my future for me, but ever since your story came into my life I have made some changes and put more precious things into my future. Going to Toronto, Ontario isnt as important as going to Atlanta is I want to make something of myself for Dan. It is the least I can do for him. I cnat change what happend on September 23, 2003, but i can change the way I think and act about life. Supporting, forgiving, loving you and honorinng Dan is one of the most important things inf my life. I am not sure whether it was accidental or a coincidence that I came across that picture of Dan Snyder on his 27th birthday, but someone wanted me to find it. Dan's face never goes away. It is always there. I pray not only for him, but for you before I go to bed. Occasionally the tears fall not only in pain, but worry and stress as well. For you and his family. It kills me inside to think about all you hurting because of Dan's passing. Doing good and giving back to the world of hockey, you and Dan, is where my heart will always remain.

September 11, 2006

Dear "Heater,"

From the first report I did on you back my sophomore year, to the one I am doing now *Who do you consider a hero and why?-for my english class* I have admired, looked up to, and supported you in everything. I always will to no matter what.

Over the last three years you have taught me so much and this I am very thankful for because it has made me who I am at this very moment. When you had the accident back in 2003 and Dan died I had no idea that you could be so strong and I still don't know how you are. You did what you needed to do to try and have a normal life as possible, when times were extemely hard and stressful you never gave up and kept going forward. Now, almost three years later you are back on top and probably one of the greatest hockey players out there (along with your buddy Ilya Kovalchuk).

The way you handled everything that happened to you, gave me strength to get through one of the most emotional, and hardest times of my life. In December 2004 a friend of mine committed suicide by hanging himself in his garage (him and I were both 16 at the time) just hours after I had talked to him he was gone forever. I should have went to class that day. At his funeral I couldn't believe that my beloved friend was gone I just didnt know how he could die the way he did. He was the most sweetest person you would ever meet in your life. From the time I stood at the cemetary to watch him get laid to rest I blamed myself for his death and I still do today. If I would have been a better friend and paid attention maybe I could see that he wasnt as happy as I thought.

I didn't think I could ever let him go; so in early 2005 I moved out of the city he died in, moved to another town, and went to a brand new high school because I could not take it anymore; it was to painful for me to deal with. People that I knew from my old school were pissed at me because " By leaving I was a trader" I lost many friends over it.  Thats when my respect started growing even stronger for you. As you left Atlanta and went to play for Ottawa and started all over again I knew that I could make it through my buddies death. I watched you pull through and keep going, not really looking back much. Letting all that happened go (at the same time still keeping Dan Snyder close to your heart.)

That right there alone made me stronger; so I slowly started letting what happened go ( Knew I had to try at least) it wasnt easy, but I kept going. I tried not to dwell on what happened Just kept thinking my buddy was in a better place now.  When times got tough and I thought I couldnt make it through and that I would never be able to have some of my old life back I looked at you and KNEW I could do it. You inspired me to keep going, to not look back, and to keep my buddy close to heart and think in a positive way.

It's been almost two years since my friend's passing and I have to say I am doing a lot better then I was about a year and a half ago. I know that you probably will never read this and dont even know that I exist. What you have taught and showed me however, can never be replaced and I am truly blessed and thankful for that in more ways then one. More then you could ever know. I could never ever explain just how much I respect and look up to you.

~THANK YOU DANY SO VERY MUCH; MORE THEN YOU'LL EVER COME TO KNOW

*HeatleyFan15*

Just like the Snyder's I forgive Dany for what he did back in September 2003. It was nothing but a misjudgement, which led to a tragic accident. Dany has much remorse for what he has done. It will always live with him, haunt him perhaps. What ever he does and where ever he goes I will support, stick up, and cheer for him, until the end of time.

The letter to Dany that I wrote, was written back before he left the Thrashers hockey team. So, it is not anything new, it has been around awhile. This is the first time that I have ever typed it up and put it on a website for the world to see.