Athletes, teams honour victims of Humboldt Broncos tragedy

Some wrote “Broncos” on their caps or shoes, others sported the word across their backs.

Athletes and teams across North America have been paying tribute to the Humboldt Broncos after Friday’s deadly collision between a truck and a bus that was carrying the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team to a playoff game in the province.

The Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks honoured the Humboldt team by wearing jerseys with the word BRONCOS across their name plates during their regular-season finale at Bell MTS Place Saturday night.

Before the game, a moment of silence was observed, with players from both teams standing in a circle around centre ice.

“It was very powerful,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice told reporters after the game. “Again that connection that all hockey players have together, they go through that idea of travelling as a team, being part of a team. “It was really emotional.” The Jets and Blackhawks donated $25,000 to the Broncos while the proceeds from Winnipeg’s 50/50 draw for the night were also donated.

The tributes extended beyond the hockey world.

The Toronto Raptors held a moment of silence prior to Sunday’s game against the visiting Orlando Magic.

Joey Votto, the Toronto-born Cincinnati Reds superstar, took his position at first base Saturday afternoon with “Humboldt Broncos” written in white on his black cleats.

And Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman took the mound against the Texas Rangers in Arlington with the team’s name written in white on the bottom left side of his cap. “SK” was written on the other side.

A moment of silence was also observed in Las Vegas on Saturday morning, where Brad Gushue and his rink from St. John’s, N.L., was vying for a second straight men’s world curling championship.