‘I LOVE YOU FOREVER, PARKER’
Broncos’ goalie laid to rest
Humboldt Broncos goaltender Parker Tobin was honoured Sunday with a celebration of life in Stony Plain’s Glenn Hall Arena.
Tobin was remembered as a dedicated, determined athlete and student always lending a hand to share his skills with a smile.
Community members lined 53 Street with hockey sticks and came together in mourning the 18-yearold, remembered by many for the years he spent serving as the voice of the local Flyers and Eagles teams.
In the same arena where he was a commentator, friends, former coaches and school employees spoke about the impact he had on the lives of those around him.
Flowers in the Humboldt Broncos team colours of yellow and green were laid on top of Tobin’s cream-coloured casket, which was signed by mourners following the funeral.
A green and yellow quilt with photos of Tobin stitched in by the grandmother of a friend was draped over the casket partway through the service, which was attended by hundreds of people.
Tobin grew up in Stony Plain and played in nearby Spruce Grove and Drayton Valley before being traded to the Broncos.
Throughout the week, tributes have been pouring in for a young man who loved hockey, supported his teammates and had a great sense of humour.
Tobin attended Forest Green School, Stony Plain Central School and was a member of the 2017 graduating class at Memorial Composite High School, which he attended for parts of the year while playing competitive hockey, the Parkland School Division said on its website.
While he excelled in athletics and was known for his sense of humour, his dedication and drive were equally apparent in his academic life through his advanced placement courses.
Helping out with homework was something Tobin did frequently, both in school and with teammates. It earned him a nickname on the team bus as “Teacher Tobin,” Brandon Ewanchyshyn, Tobin’s goalie partner, told the funeral on Sunday.
Ewanchyshyn — who played hockey, floor ball and other sports with Tobin — said his friend knew how to make light out of dark situations and was famous for his “oneline chirps.”
“I love you forever, Parker,” he said while speaking at the funeral.
While many players would listen to music, Tobin would listen to financial podcasts and was considering a career either in business or medicine.
It was originally thought Tobin had survived the Broncos’ bus crash that killed 16 people. But a Saskatchewan coroner later confirmed he had been misidentified.