Humboldt celebrates ‘a big step for hockey’
Grieving community comes together as the Broncos prepare to move forward
On a festive Friday, there were cheers amid some tears.
The Stanley Cup and an assortment of NHL Players’ Association members, past and present, visited this resilient community on Day 1 of the Humboldt Broncos’ 2018 training camp. Commencement of camp marked the SJHL team’s first on-ice appearance since the tragic events of another Friday (April 6).
Chris Joseph represented both constituencies — the NHL and the Broncos — so admirably on Humboldt Hockey Day. The former NHL defenceman lost his son, Jaxon, in an accident that claimed 16 lives and injured the other 13 occupants of the Broncos’ bus.
The families of the 2017-18 Broncos gathered at the Uniplex on Friday, when Saskatoon-born Washington Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson, formerly of the Regina Pats, brought the Stanley Cup to Humboldt. The trophy was in the room when the families convened on an emotional day — another step in the healing process.
“I’m happy that the Broncos are moving forward and getting ready to play,” Joseph said. “I think it’s a big step for the town. I think it’s a big step for the country. I think it’s a big step for hockey. “I think this a really good day, and I think it’s a day that we should try to celebrate.”
The celebration was such that people young and old, from near and far, formed a labyrinthine line around the building in order to share a moment with Stephenson and Lord Stanley’s grail.
Youngsters also had a chance to interact with authentic Nhlers, including some who have had their names engraved on the
Cup, during a ball hockey game.
The Hockey Hall of Fame’s travelling exhibit was also on display, as was the seemingly infinite good nature of the hockey community.
Adam Graves, for example, unhesitatingly made the trip from Oakville, Ont., to Humboldt to be part of Friday’s festivities.
A proud owner of 329 NHL goals, including 52 on behalf of the Stanley Cup-champion New York Rangers in 1993-94, Graves is here in support of Humboldt and of Joseph, a former Edmonton Oilers teammate.
“As much as we love the game, it’s just a game,” Graves said. “There’s so much more in life that’s so much bigger than the game.
“It’s terribly sad, but it’s an
opportunity to be able to come and try to add support and say hello to the young kids and be a bigger part of that hockey fraternity.
“It doesn’t matter what level you play at. It doesn’t matter how young you are or how old you are. You’re bonded by the game. For me, that’s the greatest gift that the game gives you — the people.”
Joseph appreciates the gift of support that his family has received during an unimaginably traumatic time.
“The hockey family, for us, has been a real shoulder to lean on,” he said. “They have never let us down, and they’ re here again today. We want to thank the Nhl pa and the city of humboldt for everything they’ve put on today.
“We love the fact that today is a celebration day. We’ve had a lot of days that have been quite sad. Today’s got a totally different feel and we’re very appreciative of it.
“Anybody who brings us Broncos families together has a special place in our heart, because we love seeing each other and we love getting together.”
Later in the day, there was an assembly of a different sort, as 75-plus prospective Broncos were together for the first time at Elgar Petersen Arena.
Unlike the big-league-influenced events of Friday, the team’s training camp is being insulated from the spotlight to the extent that it is realistic.
The team is doing its utmost to conduct camp in a manner that approaches normalcy. As a result, the players are not available to the media all weekend, and understandably so.
“The kids have a lot of weight on their shoulders,” Joseph said. “We know that there’s an emphasis on ‘let’s remember last year’s team and then let’s move on and let’s play some hockey,’ and we’re excited for them.
“As the 2017-18 families, I think we all collectively want to give these kids a big hug, tell them we love them, tell them we wish them well, and let them get to playing some hockey.”
We love the fact that today is a celebration day. We’ve had a lot of days that have been quite sad. Today’s got a totally different feel.