In a deadly crash, the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior League have suffered great losses
The NHL playoffs start in less than a week, and my team, the Philadelphia Flyers can clinch today. I should be writing about them. But today, my heart is with a Saskatchewan Junior League Team, the Humboldt Broncos.
Here’s how it happened. The Broncos team bus was carrying 29 people, including players and coaches, to a playoff game in Nipawin. A tractor-trailer hit the team bus on Highway 35 north of Tisdale at approximately 5 p.m. ET on April 6, 2018.
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While specifics were not made available, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that there were 14 fatalities. As of the 1 p.m. ET press conference, it has been confirmed Head Coach Darcy Haugan and radio station personality Tyler Bieber are among the fatalities.
14 others were taken to local hospitals, with three of those injuries being reported as critical. It was not clear if the driver of the tractor-trailer was included in the reported injuries. Nor is it clear who the other casualties are.
14 families have lost a son, a brother, maybe a father. As I prepare to watch the most important game of the Flyers season, 14 families are preparing for funerals now. They are saying goodbye, not to a season, but to a child.
14 other families now must deal with injuries that may end promising careers. Young men who were at the top of their game just a few short hours ago are now bruised and broken. Hospital beds and bandages now replace hockey sticks and jerseys.
The Broncos trailed the Nipawin Hawks three games to one. The two teams had played a triple overtime game in Humboldt on Wednesday, with Nipawin winning 6-5. Friday’s game was canceled. There was no immediate word on the game being rescheduled.
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The Humboldt Broncos entered the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in 1970. The team has won numerous regional championships, as well as two Royal Bank Cups. As this situation develops, we’ll be sure to keep you updated here at Puck Prose.
If you’d like to donate to help the victims, here’s a link to a Gofundme.