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NHLers, Major junior players help Humboldt

A hockey player who was in a horrific bus crash in the 1980s was in Okotoks helping those who survived the Humboldt Bronco tragedy.
Former Detroit Red Wing Bob Wilkie, who survived the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus crash, gave a touching tribute to the Humboldt Broncos during the Humboldt Strong
Former Detroit Red Wing Bob Wilkie, who survived the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus crash, gave a touching tribute to the Humboldt Broncos during the Humboldt Strong fundraiser game April 15 at Pason Centennial Arena.

A hockey player who was in a horrific bus crash in the 1980s was in Okotoks helping those who survived the Humboldt Bronco tragedy.

Bob Wilkie, who survived a 1986 bus crash that killed four Swift Current Broncos, was among the players who participated in the Humboldt Strong charity hockey game Sunday at the Pason Centennial Arena.

He, along with fellow Swift Current Bronco teammate Sheldon Kennedy, made the trek to Saskatchewan to talk to players, first responders and parents after the devastating bus crash that killed 16 people in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash earlier this month — 10 of them players.

“We spent some time with the players in the hospital, with families who lost players and the first responders — it was a great trip for us,” said Wilkie, who went on to play for the Detroit Red Wings.

He said initially there were fears they would not be strong enough to help those in Humboldt.

“We were all really nervous about going through and reliving our own memories and how would we be strong enough to help these kids,” Wilkie said. “The strength came from all the people we met in our lives who were sending their thoughts and prayers to us.”

He was awestruck by the courage in Humboldt.

“Even though they are going through a devastating time, the courage and strength that those people have, it was just great to be part of,” Wilkie said.

Mike Commodore, a defenceman with the 2004 Stanley Cup finalist Calgary Flames, also played in the Okotoks charity game.

“Me coming out here for a couple of hours and showing support for Humboldt, that’s why it was important for me,” said Commodore who won a Stanley Cup with the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes. “I didn’t play in the SJ but I played in the AJ (with the defunct Fort Saskatchewan Traders) and I spent a lot of time on the bus there and the American Hockey League.

“I used to love the bus. That’s how you get to know everybody.”

The players in the Humboldt Strong charity game included those who played in the NHL, the WHL and Junior A hockey. One of the players was Okotoks’ Dakota Krebs, now a member of the Calgary Hitmen. NHL referee Tom Kowal of High River had his whistle and striped shirt on for them.

The fundraiser included a moving video tribute, showing all 16 people who were killed, while Amazing Grace was sung in the background. The fundraiser, which was attended by approximately 700 fans, raised an estimated $22,500.

The 16 people killed in the Humboldt Bronco bus crash were, Logan Schatz, Jacob Leicht, Parker Tobin, Evan Thomas, Stephen Wack, Conner Lukan, Logan Hunter, Jaxon Joseph, Logan Boulet, Adam Herold, coaches Darcy Haugan and Mark Cross, statistician Brody Hinz, broadcaster Tyler Bieber, bus driver Glen Doerksen and trainer Dayna Brons.

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