The Foothills community, like all of Canada, was devastated when it heard of the tragic bus crash that killed 15 members of the Junior A Humboldt Broncos — 10 of them players — on April 6.
Approximately 2,000 hockey fans got their first hint of the news when a minute of silence was held prior to the Okotoks Oilers/Brooks Bandits on Friday.
Although the scope of the tragedy was not known at that time, it hit hard as fans realized those killed in the tragedy were like the young men on the ice — playing their hearts out for the game they love, and with dreams of university, pro careers and raising families in the future.
What can be more Canadiana than young hockey players — some not yet old enough to vote — sharing laughs and building life-time friendships, while riding on long bus trips on the “iron lung” to play our national game?
There aren’t parents in the Foothills that at some point haven’t put their loved ones on a bus to attend a sporting event, band concert, drama presentation — any endeavour in pursuit of dreams.
Sadly, those dreams have vanished for 15 members of the Humboldt Broncos family. However, the Broncos and Humboldt will be remembered.
Okotoks and all of Canada will remain Humboldt Strong.
