INNISFAIL – The tragic bus and tractor-trailer crash of the Humboldt Broncos has hit close to home.
Stephen Bates, president of the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association, knows the scene only too well as a former player in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with the Nipiwan Hawks and Notre Dame Hounds.
“It’s tough to put into words,” said Bates. “I played in that league for two years. It’s very surreal knowing that you probably passed by that intersection 20 or 30 times.”
The Humboldt Broncos were travelling to Nipawin to face the Hawks in Game 5 of the SJHL semifinals when the horrific accident happened late Friday afternoon. Fifteen people were killed.
A RCMP press release said a collision occurred between a semi-trailer unit and a passenger bus, which was carrying members of the Humboldt Broncos at about 5 p.m., 30 kilometres north of Tisdale on April 6.
“I think the general feeling is just devastation,” said Bates. “How does that organization move on from this.”
Having played in the SJHL, Bates said Saskatchewan communities are close-knit and strong.
“These smaller towns really get behind their hockey teams and I’m sure the Humboldt Broncos are going to have a ton of support,” he said. “They’re going to need it. It’s not going to be easy but I think they will find a way.
“The outpouring of support for that team (has) been pretty tremendous so far.”
Bates said hours on a bus is part of life for junior hockey players and for the most part, is one of the safest means of travel.
That is something Innisfail Eagles general manager Ryan Dodd agrees with. Like Bates, Dodd and Innisfail minor hockey coach Randy Graham also spent time in the SJHL.
Dodd and the entire Eagles organization were heartbroken at the tragic news on Friday.
“Hockey is a huge sport but a very tight family,” said Dodd, noting calls he’s received from devastated players over the tragedy. “They have no connection to the players on that team but a connection through the hockey world.
“The hockey world is devastated,” he added.
Many kids in junior hockey share special memories on the team bus, said Dodd.
“We’ve all ridden those buses and we’re still riding them. That’s how we get to all of our games today.
“Some of the best memories in the game have been during their road trips on the bus,” said Dodd. “That’s how they get to know each other.”
