Skip to content

United in grief; love pouring in from around the world

We cannot begin to describe the grief that is hanging over Humboldt right now. We cannot see how deep our city is going to be impacted by losing 16 amazing members of the community.
Becky Zimmer
Humboldt Journal Editor

We cannot begin to describe the grief that is hanging over Humboldt right now.

We cannot see how deep our city is going to be impacted by losing 16 amazing members of the community.

But watching social media, news broadcast and recent sporting events in the last 48 hours, I can feel the collective hug the world is sending the City of Humboldt.

Throughout the weekend, the world sent the Humboldt community its love and support, with people talking about their own experiences as hockey players, donating to the GoFundMe page, and mourning with us the loss and pain of coach

Darcy Haugan, the players, and the staff has shown the love that the world is collectively sending Humboldt, from words of condolence at press conferences, and moments of silence at games across the world.

While I do not have the room to mention all of them, I will mention a few that touched me very deeply.

The Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks replaced their name plates on the back of their jerseys and will be auctioning off in support of the Broncos on a later date.

The Jets and Blackhawks, as well as the Boston Bruins, stood at centre ice, intermixed, before their game to collectively stand with the Broncos. They were not two teams that night, but one team mourning lives lost too young and lives who loved the game.

Many NHL teams changed their team colours to green and gold, including the Jets and Calgary Flames, and many more across different leagues put the Humboldt Bronco stickers on their helmets.

Toronto Maple Leaf and coach and Saskatoon native Mike Babcock knows Saskatchewan hockey and travelled that road to Nipawin many times, he said in a April 7 press conference.

He was prepared to speak, he said, but he could not help getting emotional as he spoke of disbelief and prayers for the players, families, and communities.

And this extends beyond the hockey world, even beyond the sports world, as Canadian Football League and Major League Baseball teams, politicians and news organizations from across the country shared their love and support.

The Saskatchewan Rush fans chanted “Let’s go, Broncos!” throughout their April 7 game.

For all that is going on, Humboldt is not alone.

I thank every single person and organization for their love and support they have shown Humboldt and the hometowns of the Broncos hockey players.

Like I told a British Columbia cousin this past weekend, “We’re all one big family out here, especially right now.”

If anyone needs any support, do not suffer in silence. Please reach out and get help if you need.

We do not know how long the community will be impacted by this tragedy, but for however long we need, we will always stick together.