HUMBOLDT, Sask.—The April 6 accident involving a semi-trailer truck
and a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos, coaches, staff, and play-by-play
announcer is both a devastating loss for many families of a son, a husband, a
father, a friend, and a cataclysmic loss for the broader community.
The outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming.
The Humboldt Broncos are part of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
Every team in the league has offered some form of sympathy and support.
Every player and coach knows the camaraderie of riding the bus from game to
game. Those bus rides are like cocoons of time during which players listen to
music, watch movies, sleep, talk about the past or upcoming tournaments, and
where, through the sharing of stories, friendships and bonds are formed that
often last for decades.
Lynda and Cal Statchuk of Wadena know what it is like to send their sons on the
road on a bus in the winter. Two of their sons, Travis and Michael, played AAA
Midget Hockey.
“A team becomes a family,” Lynda said. “The bus becomes a bonding place.”
“The parents see each other often at games at home and on the road,” Cal added.
“They become part of this family who will go the extra mile for each other.”
In the NHL, every team playing over the weekend made some effort to show that
they were thinking of the Broncos. Some offered moments of silence and others,
like the Blackhawks, wore the word “Broncos” on their jerseys. Many teams and
arenas are offering the 50/50 proceeds toward the Broncos. Internationally, at
a game in Sweden, the two opposing teams stood on the blueline, arm-in-arm, for
a moment of silence.
But this was not just a hockey tragedy; it was a human tragedy, with support
and condolences from every corner of the planet, including Queen Elizabeth II,
Pope Francis, and U.S. President Donald Trump.
At an afternoon service at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon,
Bishop Mark Hagemoen read the message from Pope Francis sent by the Vatican
Secretary of State: “Informed of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by
the road traffic accident in the province of Saskatchewan involving young
hockey players, His Holiness Pope Francis sends his condolences to those who
have lost loved ones, and commends the souls of the deceased to the mercy of
Almighty God. To all in the community at this difficult time Pope Francis sends
his blessing.”
On other fronts, businesses offered their services, airlines offered free
flights, and hotels offered free accommodations to those coming into town to be
with family.
Flags were lowered to half-mast all across the province at city
halls, cathedrals and fire halls.
A Go-fund-me account was set up to collect donations to help families get
through the next few months. Organizers hoped to raise $10,000. The account
currently stands at over $4 million.
“That type of figure is staggering,” Bronco’s president Kevin Garinger said in
Sunday’s press conference. “We will be ensuring that these dollars go out
respecting first and foremost every one of the families that have been part of
this tragedy.”
Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon, like many others, opened their doors for
people to come together to offer silent prayers.
While the largest vigil was held in Humboldt, prayer services for the victims
and families were held all across the province. One in Birch Hills attracted
some 150 people, where 15 candles were placed across a hockey net, one for each
victim.
Another was held in Lloydminster. In attendance was radio personality Kurt
Price. “What really stood out for me was how comforting it was to see so many
familiar faces,” Price said. “The community here celebrates together and it
grieves together.”
Price had another connection to the tragedy as a broadcaster. “I was at a
dinner theatre on Friday night when the news broke and we started to hear some
preliminary numbers. I immediately thought of Tyler Bieber (the Humboldt
broadcaster killed in the crash),” recalled Price. “I know so many people just
like him, and I feel I knew him.”
Price described people like Bieber who broadcast hockey games as community
oriented people who do not broadcast to get rich, but for the love of the game
and the family that forms around the team.
“None of those people had to be on that bus, but every one of them wanted to be
there,” he said. “I wanted to be around my extended family tonight, my
community.”
“I’ve been thinking about him (Bieber) and all of those young men all weekend.
The vigil tonight I hope starts the healing,” Price concluded. “I know it won’t
make the pain end for anyone overnight, but we come together to start.”
Vice-president of Red Cross in Saskatchewan, Cindy Fuchs, said in a radio
interview: “The Canadian Red Cross has been activated by the government of
Saskatchewan. who have asked us to have our volunteers on the ground, offering
comfort and support.”
Saskatoon city councilor Cynthia Block tweeted that people were lining up to
donate blood at Canadian Blood Services. She noted that they were actually
having to turn locals away and were only accepting people who were from out of
town.
Jackie Saretsky, co-ordinator of hospital chaplaincy for the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Saskatoon, was in the midst of preparing a day-long Dying Healed
workshop when the accident happened. “We have names and we’re getting connected
with some of the players and families,” said Saretsky. “The hospital staff has
been good about letting us offer our time.”
“Some of the chaplains have set up a space on the fourth floor (of Royal
University Hospital) where families can come to ask for prayers and talk,”
continued Saretsky. “This is the beauty of this ministry being connected to the
hospital.”
Saretsky was also offered prayer shawls and was told that one was included for
each of the players and families with a personal note. The prayer shawls were
forwarded by spiritual support staff at the Humboldt hospital.