This weekend unspeakable tragedy struck in small-town Saskatchewan. The Humboldt Broncos SJHL team bus was struck by a semi-truck. 16 people were killed in the accident.
- Head Coach Darcy Haugan
- Assistant Coach Mark Cross
- Play-by-play announcer Tyler Bieber
- Bus Driver Glen Doerksen
- Team Statistician Brody Hinz
- Parker Tobin
- Logan Schatz
- Jaxon Joseph
- Adam Herold
- Stephen Wack
- Logan Hunter
- Conner Lukan
- Evan Thomas
- Jacob Leicht
- Logan Boulet
- Dayna Brons
The community has seen an incredible outpouring of support following the accident. Hotels offered free stays, restaurants supplied food, vehicle dealerships offered transportation, airlines offered flights, local businesses created merchandise to fundraise, and local churches offered open doors and listening ears.
#HumboldtStrong
#PrayForHumboldt
#PutYourSticksOut
Are some of the hashtags that were trending over the weekend.
There was a vigil Sunday night at the Elga Petersen Arena in Humboldt that was filled past capacity. Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were a few of the dignitaries present. It was a beautiful inter-denominational service.
All of the flags at schools and legislature buildings across the province were lowered to half-mast in respect. Lights across the country, including legislature buildings, art galleries, and Niagara Falls, were changed to green and yellow to honour the lost.
Recognition poured in from across the country and across the globe. NHL players and coaches posted tributes, gave donations, and paid visits to those involved. NHL and WHL games gathered funds from 50/50 draws and donated it. NHL teams across North America held moments of silence before their games, some played the Canadian anthem despite either team not being Canadian. Teams of all ages across the globe also held moments of silence in recognition. Most notably, in the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets game on Saturday, April 7th, both teams replaced the nameplates on their jerseys with “Broncos”.
Ellen Degeneres offered her condolences as did The Queen, Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump, Haley Wickenheiser, and musicians across North America.
Sunday night people began leaving hockey sticks outside on their front porch marked by the hashtag #PutYourStickOut with the thought that the Broncos players may need hockey sticks to play with, wherever they are. NHL teams joined the tribute along with city halls and even the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sticks were left out for the boys across North America, including the sunny states down South, just in case the boys wanted to play in the sun for once.
This tragedy has struck a chord with many. Hockey is such a part of Canadian culture that no one is left unaffected. Everyone has been a player, has parented a player, has befriended a player, has billeted a player, or has been a fan of a player.
At the time of writing this, the Go Fund Me page for the team has raised $7.7 million in 3 days. Simply astounding. This Go Fund Me was closed Wednesday April 18th, with over 15 million dollars raised in 12 days.
There is also a Wounded Warriors fundraiser to provide funds and help for the first responders involved in this tragedy.
My heart aches for all those involved. For the semi driver who will live with this sadness for the rest of his life, for the billet families who no longer need to buy Gatorade because their hockey player has left them, for the families who sent their sons towards better opportunities only to lose them, for the families of the coaches and team personnel who lost their providers and their partners, for the communities who lost their bright shining stars, for the kids who lost their heroes, and for the players who lost their friends and their brothers.
My heart goes out to the first responders, the EMTs, the STARS Air Ambulance personnel, the doctors, the nurses, the care aides, the anesthesiologists, and all the staff involved in the care of these individuals on the highway, in the air, on the road, and in the hospital. Thank you for your service to others.
As a reminder to all: help is available. Please do not hesitate to reach out and talk to someone if you feel you need it. Whether it be a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or an association, please reach out. You are not alone in this.
Doug Frechette wrote the following poem to honour the Broncos:
Chase the puck amongst the stars, boys.
I hope this finds you well,
-L
Sight Unseen 