Humboldt assistant GM steps down

Humboldt Broncos’ assistant general manager Jason Neville, who was instrumental in keeping the team’s on-ice operations moving after the April bus crash, has resigned.

The Broncos announced his decision Saturday, and thanked him for his work.

“His knowledge of the inner workings of this team, combined with his foresight and passion for ensuring we returned to the ice, defined the invaluable role he played in our rebuild,” the team said in a statement. “Jason represented the very best of what it means to be a Bronco — past, present and future — by putting his heart and soul into the club and the community.”

Broncos head coach and general manager Nathan Oystrick, who has worked with Neville since joining the team in July, thanked his departing assistant in a statement of his own — saying he’s “so grateful” for his contributions both personally and with the squad.

“Even though I was a stranger in the midst of an extraordinarily painful circumstance, Jason never hesitated to share with me his extensive knowledge of the team, league and community he loves unequivocally,” Oystrick said in the statement. “He has taught me so much in a short amount of time, and I will always proudly consider him a friend and mentor.”

Neville wasn’t on the bus when it collided with a semi on an April 6 trip to Nipawin, killing 16 people. He threw himself into rebuilding the Broncos over the next several months, both before and after they hired Oystrick.

“You’re running on adrenalin,” he told the Starphoenix recently, “and making decisions with your heart.”

The Broncos opened their season with 2-1 and 4-0 losses to the defending Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League-champion Nipawin Hawks. They’re back in action Wednesday with a road game in Notre Dame.