The arena at Crescent Point Place was absolutely silent as the names of each victim of the team bus crash of the Humboldt Broncos were read out, the words resonating through the rink as one candle was lit with each name.
The north half of the stands of the normally-bustling rink was full to capacity for the vigil held on Sunday evening by the Weyburn Red Wings in honour of the SJHL team which suffered the tragedy of 15 people killed when the Broncos team bus was T-boned by a semi hauling peat moss on Friday evening near Tisdale, as the bus was on their way to Nipawin for a playoff game against the Hawks.
The vigil was held at the same time as the community of Humboldt held their vigil to mourn and grieve the 15 fatalities, and to pray for the survivors, most of whom remain in a Saskatoon hospital recovering from their injuries.
As of noon on Monday, 12 individualsremain in hospital, with four patients in critical condition, four patients in serious condition and four patients in stable condition, according to information released by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The ladder truck from the Weyburn Fire Department was parked in front of Crescent Point Place with the ladder extended over the front entrance, and several fire fighters were in full turnout gear, along with members of Weyburn EMS, in solidarity with the around 60 First Responders who attended the scene of the horrific crash on Friday.
Former Wings chaplain James Brackpool emceed the short service inside, reading out the names of the victims, with an extra candle lit in honour of the survivors and the First Responders.
He noted that Red Wings chaplain Ed Fisher, along with team president Brent Stephanson and head coach Wes Rudy, had gone up to the memorial service in Humboldt on behalf of the Red Wings. Fisher is a former chaplain of the Humboldt Broncos.
“It’s comforting to see so many people here in support of the Saskatchewan community,” said Mayor Marcel Roy. “There are really no words one can say.”
He noted that many families have sent out their children on the road for sports or school events, with the belief that they will return home safely afterward.
“This is a reminder of how fragile life can be, and to appreciate those around us,” said the mayor, noting that in the face of a tragedy like this, the community needs to come together to support each other, including the community of the province, to build stronger communities and a stronger province.
“We will keep the Humboldt Broncos forever in our hearts,” he added.
Larry Tribiger from the Red Wings board of directors spoke, noting he was at a loss for words to adequately express the feelings that come up in a tragedy like this.
“These players were on their way to do what they love to do, to be on the ice,” he said, recalling how he and wife Val became billets to players who became like sons to them.
With his voice breaking from emotion, he said, “Last night, I turned on the outside light and did a shoe check to make sure everyone was home safe. It breaks my heart right now, but I know everyone is feeling the pain. To the boys who left us on Friday, keep your sticks on the ice, and skate hard and rest easy.”
Play-by-play announcer Steve Wilson spoke of the shock of receiving the news, first by text, that a horrific crash had occurred.
“I hoped the numbers we heard were wrong,” he said, adding there are many, many teams who travel across the country as these boys were doing, and said it was good that Weyburn’s community was joining in solidarity with other communities around Saskatchewan and across the country in honouring the 15 who died.
“We offer our thoughts and prayers to Humboldt,” he said. “Tonight, we’re all Broncos.”
Tim MacKinnon, who serves as chaplain to the Fire Department and Police Service, said in a tragedy like this, one tends to think of their own children and families, and urged people to be honest about the feelings that come up in dealing with this tragedy.
He offered up a prayer for the families of the hockey players and staff, and for the over 60 First Responders, including EMS, RCMP and fire fighters who responded to the accident scene.
Mark Schneider spoke on behalf of the Red Wings board, noting that general manager Tanner McCall was going to speak, but he wasn’t able to.
“We’d also like to reach out to all of the SJHL teams, because this affects us all. As a former player, coach and father of a player, it’s hard to put my emotions into words. Hockey is our national sport,” he said, noting that bus trips are where friendships are formed and bonds are made as the players spend hours together travelling to far-off communities to play hockey.
“I shudder to think if this happened to our Red Wings, how could we ever recover? It’s important for us to support the people of Humboldt,” said Schneider, noting this has been seen with the overwhelming support of the GoFundMe page for the families of the victims, which was rising close to $5 million by Tuesday.
Brackpool, who served as team chaplain from 2007 to 2015, noted he’s had many, many conversations with players over the years, including billeting one player who racked up many penalty minutes over the course of the year.
Quoting Ecclesiastes, he noted that there is a “time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
He also quoted a verse from Romans, that people should “‘mourn with those who mourn, and weep with those who weep’, and that’s what we’re here to do. We’re not in Humboldt, but we’re there in spirit, and we have representation there as well.”
Brackpool said while there is grief now, at some point this can turn into hope as people trust in God to help them through this time.
“As mourning is turned into dancing, it’s a really hard thing to say tonight, but I have hope that one day we’re going to see those 15 people dancing,” he said.
He noted there was a book of condolences in the lobby, plus members of Envision Counselling, and pastors from the Weyburn Ministerial Association, were on hand for anyone who wanted counselling.
After a song was played, written by two cousins from Pilot Butte for the families of this tragedy, there was silence again in the arena, and Tribiger then yelled out, “Go Broncos!” before the crowds silently filed out.
