A service Sunday evening at the Elgar Petersen Arena helped start the grieving process for families of the deceased and Humboldt residents.
On Friday, April 6, 2018, a semi collided with a bus north of Tisdale, carrying the Humboldt Broncos. 15 were pronounced dead, and 14 were injured.
The stands in Humboldt were filled. Many wore green ribbons, and Broncos jerseys with different designs through the years. Families of the victims sat at the arena’s far end. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, MP Ralph Goodale, Don Cherry and Ron Maclean were in attendance.
The service featured the clergy of Humboldt who read scripture and offered words of comfort.
Mayor Rob Muench spoke. He said it was the largest crowd he’s ever seen in the arena.
“Going forward in the next days, weeks and months, we will do our best together to get through this and come out the other end. To use a hockey analogy, we’ll stickhandle our way through this and hopefully we won’t have to dump it in the corner and we’ll get to the net.”
Broncos president Kevin Garinger announced the full list of people who died:
Players Adam Herold, Connor Lukan, Evan Thomas, Jacob Leicht, Jaxon Joseph, Logan Boulet, Logan Hunter, Logan Schatz, Stephen Wack, Parker Tobin, broadcaster Tyler Bieber, bus driver Glen Doerksen, team statistician Brody Hinz, assistant coach Mark Cross, and head coach Darcy Haugan.
Xavier Labelle was misidentified as being among the deceased. Parker Tobin was later announced dead, and Labelle remains in hospital.
Kaleb Dahlgren, formerly of the Battlefords AAA Stars, suffered serious injuries but is in stable condition in hospital.
Powerful comments came from team chaplain Pastor Sean Brandow.
“The real reach and scope of this tragedy will not be felt for days or weeks or months or even years as we continue to process everything that has taken place over these last days,” Brandow said.
Brandow referenced Psalm 23. He said the only part of the psalm he heard for 15 hours was “Even though I walk through the valley of darkness.”
“That’s it,” Brandow said. “All I saw was hurt and anguish and fear and confusion.
“Someone reminded me there’s more to that psalm. Finish the statement someone told me. I will fear no evil because you’re with me.
“It took 15 hours of darkness to really understand that I had a shepherd that was walking with me.”
