PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Longtime hockey leader and Atlantic Affiliate contributor Jim Britt was honored by the Philadelphia Flyers as the recipient of the Ed Snider Award during the team’s Ed Snider Legacy Game, recognizing a lifetime of service dedicated to growing the game and expanding access to hockey throughout the Delaware Valley.

“This is a very special personal honor for me,” Britt said. “I worked for Mr. Snider for 14 years, 12 of which were with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.”

A native of Southwest Philadelphia, Britt was immersed in athletics and community from an early age. A graduate of West Catholic High School for Boys and La Salle University, he was a multisport athlete and a 1971–72 Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Scholar-Athlete before going on to a 25-year career as a U.S. Postal Inspector. His professional background in leadership, investigation, and public service would later shape a remarkable second chapter in hockey administration and education.

Britt’s impact on the game spans decades. He coached youth hockey for 10 years in the Willow Grove and Warminster areas and spent nine seasons coaching scholastic hockey at Holy Ghost Prep, including the school’s 2003 Flyers Cup championship. Within USA Hockey, Britt served the Atlantic Affiliate for 20 years as a Coaching Education Instructor and spent five years with USA Hockey’s National Player Development program as an Assistant Festival Director for the 15U National Development Camp.

Perhaps most notably, Britt was the first employee of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in 2005. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, he helped guide the organization’s growth into what the NHL has called the “gold standard for community programming”, providing hockey opportunities to thousands of underserved youth across Philadelphia.

During his time with the foundation, Britt helped create experiences that extended far beyond the rink. “One of the special memories was when I had the honor to escort some of the children from Snider Hockey to the very first Winter Classic at Fenway Park,” he said.

In addition to his work with Snider Hockey, Britt served 10 years on the NHL’s “Hockey Is For Everyone” Advisory Board. He has held leadership roles across education and athletics, including commissioner of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference and a current position on the Flyers Cup Committee executive board.

Reflecting on his journey, Britt pointed to a moment that shaped his mission. “I go back to my first interview with Mr. Snider,” he said. “He asked me why I wanted to work for the foundation, and I just blurted out that I wanted to give back to the community. It is critical to help kids understand, enjoy, and benefit from sport — and ice hockey is the perfect venue for that.”

The Snider Award recognizes Britt’s unwavering commitment to service, inclusion, and the belief that hockey can be a powerful tool for personal growth and community impact — values that continue to define his legacy within the Atlantic Affiliate and beyond.