Devastating loss
Prince Edward Island hockey community commiserates with Humboldt Broncos family after bus crash
“Shocking”, “devastating” and “a nightmare” are words being used by Prince Edward Islanders to describe the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
The Saskatewan junior hockey team’s bus collided with a truck en route to a playoff game in Nipawin, Sask., on Friday. At press time, 15 people on the bus were confirmed dead, and 14 more injured.
“There are not many words that can explain it,” said 18-year-old Summerside native Carson MacKinnon, who recently completed his third season with the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
“Road trips in hockey are meant to be one of the best times of the hockey season. It’s very unfortunate, and it literally could have been any bus, any team. For that to happen and that many lives to be taken away, it’s very devastating. . . It’s crazy how, in a snap of a finger, your whole life can change.”
MacKinnon played his Grade 9 and 10 years at Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask.
“I never had the opportunity to play with any of the guys (Humboldt players), but I did play against a handful of them,” said MacKinnon.
The Summerside Western Capitals were travelling to Edmundston, N.B., on Friday for Saturday night’s playoff game in the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Head coach Billy McGuigan was asked how his players were dealing with the news.
“A lot of the players right now are in shock. It’s something you take for granted when you are travelling. . . you are going to get there and get home safe. This could happen to anyone at any time.”
McGuigan noted the Summerside Western Capitals were in Humboldt in 2012 for the RBC Cup.
“Their GM and coach Darcy (Haugan) is a prince of a man. The whole community of Humboldt is such a true Canadian hockey community. It’s very sad,” he said.
“It puts life in perspective in so many ways. It’s more than just hockey when these things happen.”
The Broncos also paid a visit to Charlottetown for the 2003 Canadian junior A hockey championship.
Kensington native and West Royalty resident Wilfred Banks was a member of the host Charlottetown Abbies booster club at that time.
The Abbies were eliminated before the championship game, so Banks asked the Homboldt Broncos if he could wear one of their jerseys, to counteract Charlottetown super fan Wade “Conehead” Babineau, who was wearing a jersey of the Broncos’ opponent, the Camrose Kodiacs.
“They gave me a jersey, I cheered for them, we had a blast, we won (3-1). . . I was sitting in the stands watching the celebrations, and one of the players skated over and waved me down to the boards and said, ‘Come on the ice and get your picture taken.’
“So out I go in a Broncos’ jersey with my Hanson (Brothers) wig and glasses on getting my picture taken with the Broncos and RBC Cup at centre ice.”
Banks, a motor coach driver who drives teams regularly, has been following the news of the crash closely. He’s said the team’s bus driver is in his thoughts, adding, “Drivers form a special bond with their team, especially if they travel with them all the time.”
John and Mona MacKinnon of Summerside also know about the special bond formed on the team bus — and the worries associated with travelling to games.
They are the parents of Carson and Ryan MacKinnon. Ryan played four seasons in the QMJHL, the last two with the UPEI Panthers and is now with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.
“As a parent it’s always a worry. They travel a lot of miles by bus, and you are always concerned about weather. You don’t have to go far to have an accident, but you are always concerned about them arriving safely at their destination,” John said.
“You are very proud of your kids playing hockey at that level, but there is a risk involved.”
He described Friday’s crash in Saskatchewan as “a nightmare” for hockey parents.
“The messages you are seeing on social media right now across the country speaks volumes for the people that are affected by this,” he said.
“It’s a tragic, tragic situation.”