Humboldt hires new coach

HUMBOLDT, Sask. The new coach and general manager of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team says he’s excited to get started but will never forget the tragic circumstances that brought him to the role.

The team announced Tuesday that former NHL defenceman Nathan Oystrick will fill the vacancy left by Darcy Haugan, who was among 16 killed when the team’s bus and a semi-truck collided at a rural intersection in April. Thirteen others were injured in the crash.

“I did not know Darcy Haugan. But like so many people in this world today, I wish I had,” Oystrick said at a news conference. “I believe in his commitment to not just developing skilled hockey players, but developing great human beings and I hope that I can make him proud while doing this job.”

He said Haugan’s inspirational message painted on the wall outside the dressing room would remain. Among other things, Haugan’s “core covenant” said Broncos players must put family first, treat others with respect, and play and practice with passion.

Oystrick, 35, who is from Saskatchewan, played professional hockey for 10 seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. He also played 338 games in the American Hockey League.

He was most recently head coach of Colorado Academy high school.

Broncos president Kevin Garinger said there were more than 50 applicants for the job.