Show of support
Cape Breton students honour Humboldt Broncos
Everyone remembers where they were on Friday night when they learned the tragic news of the fatal bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team in rural Saskatchewan.
For many, it’s something they may never forget.
Callum McAllister was at home with family, where all were overcome with emotion.
“My mom showed me a picture of it and I just cried,” said the Grade 4 student at Robin Foote Elementary in Westmount. “I think everyone should be showing support for that tragedy.”
Some of that support surfaced on Thursday in the form of Jersey Day at McAllister’s school and at others across Cape Breton.
It was also evident around the country where everyone was encouraged to wear their own sports jersey or the colours of the Broncos team as part of a nationwide show of support.
“Mine is the Sonics ‘B’ team,” McAllister said of the basketball uniform he was wearing.
“We got our jerseys (Wednesday) and since it’s green and my mom told me I should wear a yellow shirt under it because those are the Bronco colours — green and yellow.”
The colours of the Cape Breton Comets Atom Major hockey team were also represented at the school’s Jersey Day.
It was Grade 5 student Lucas Phillipo who pulled on the jersey to show his support for Humboldt.
“I saw it on the news the night that it happened,” he said. “I felt pretty bad about it. It was a pretty sad night.”
With those sentiments in mind, he was more than willing to wear his team colours during class and for a lively game of road hockey at recess — all in support of the Broncos hockey team.
His cousin Blaise Phillipo wasn’t wearing a sports jersey on Thursday, but instead showed his respects by wearing green, a Broncos team colour.
“I hope that if the people in Saskatchewan see us wearing the jersey it might make them feel better,” he said.
Outside of the school the “Sticks out for Humboldt” initiative was also evident. The growing movement has seen Canadians everywhere leave a hockey stick outside and on display to honour the Broncos players and their families.
But the most fitting tribute might have been a lively game of road hockey, a common recess and lunchtime activity at Robin Foote, and one that was dedicated to Humboldt on Thursday.
“In their own way, they feel part of it,” said Steven McDougall, the school’s principal.
“I think they all can relate because they are in a very sportsoriented community and they are all involved in hockey and basketball teams, so they definitely can relate and sympathize with the team.”
It wasn’t just area schools that took part in the jersey day initiative. Around the island Canada Post carriers could be spotted on their daily routes wearing jerseys, those just out for a walk were also seen in Broncos colours and many workplaces were also caught up in the initiative.
Visit the Cape Breton Post Facebook page to view some of the Jersey Day photos being shared on social media. There will also be a photo feature in Saturday’s edition of the Cape Breton Post of some of these photos.