Hundreds show up for Meadow Lake vigil in honour of Humboldt Broncos

Apr 8, 2018 | 9:37 PM

Nearly 300 Meadow Lakers showed up to stand together, light candles, and mourn in solidarity and support with the community of Humboldt in honour of those affected by Friday’s fatal collision.

The bus carrying members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos and support staff collided with a semi-trailer 30 kilometres outside of Nipawin en route a playoff game at 5 p.m. the evening of Friday, April 7.  Fifteen have died, and 14 others were injured.

The candlelight vigil was arranged via social media by several community members, who were in contact with city officials and staff to access the Meadow Lake and District Arena. Stickers and candleholders bearing the Humboldt Broncos logos were distributed.

Meadow Lake City Coun. Conrad Read, along with Mayor Gary Vidal spoke at the event, along with the current president of the Meadow Lake Minor Hockey Association, Richard Temple.

“Words alone cannot express the sorrow felt by myself and everyone across the country,” Read said. “It is with heartfelt sorrow that we meet tonight. Like many of you here, I grew up with my family in rinks around Saskatrchewan. Coaching children, refereeing hockey games, organizing minor hockey programs, and running all the buses to the games.”

Mayor Vidal said he was touched by the outpouring of support coming from across provinces the country and world.

“We especially want to support the people of Humboldt,” he said. “At the same time we think of those folks, I want us to think of our emergency response people. Fire and rescue, ambulance, police, STARS, doctors and nurses. This event that happened on the highway to Tisdale could have happened anywhere. Let’s remember everyday the good in people.”

He spoke earlier today before the vigil about having known some of the players involved in the collision, saying it’s been a rough weekend for all involved. Vidal was one of four coaches for the Midget AA Stampeders who played against some of those athletes just two years ago.

Zane Morin, a member of the Meadow Lake Sr. Broncos also spoke about how those in the sport community feel for one another when these types of tragedies occur. 

“I’ve been playing hockey my whole life,” he said. “When you play hockey, it’s about family. We lost 14 brothers that day, fathers. To see everyone in Saskatchewan come together, it’s amazing to see.”

A collection bucket was also set up at the door, which will go toward a GoFundMe campaign in honour of the Broncos.

 

 

 

 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath