Sedins’ final farewell shaken by sorrow
‘There are more important things in life,’ Henrik says of retirement after bus tragedy in Saskatchewan
EDMONTON — Henrik Sedin’s stoic stance and solemn summation said it all.
Two days ago, the hockey world applauded in unison as the Vancouver Canucks’ captain and twin brother, Daniel, combined to cap the home-ice portion of their remarkable Hall of Fame careers with a perfectly-scripted overtime goal.
On Saturday, the NHL veterans were shocked and saddened and struggled to address Friday afternoon’s tragic bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 players and personnel of the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Fourteen others were injured, some seriously.
No words could really put into proper perspective the angst after learning the bus was struck by a semi-trailer on its way to a playoff game in Nipawin, Sask.
For a Prairie town where hockey is the fabric that binds the community, it was devastating.
“It’s just terrible,” said Henrik. “There are more important things in life than retiring from a game you’ve been able to play for a long time — that’s for sure.”
What was supposed to be another celebratory night for the Sedins in their final career games became a rallying point that went well beyond the NHL.
Anybody who has played the game has been on a team bus at some point to a game in some small town.
It’s a journey where bonds are strengthened. It’s a time to unwind with movies or card games and the fun factor always trumps any fear that something could go horribly wrong.
Above all, the bus has always been considered a safe haven.
That’s why the world took notice. A joyous team on a journey to the deciding game in its playoff series — a memorable adventure for any young player — had its heart ripped out.
The Canucks choked up talking about the tragedy. Coach Travis Green’s voice cracked. Derek Dorsett’s eyes were misty.
It was the same in the Oilers’ room, especially for Saskatchewan natives, defenceman Ethan Bear and coach Todd McLellan.
“We’ve all been on buses and back in Sweden you never think something bad can happened,” said Daniel Sedin.
“This is tough to see, especially the team picture and a lot of them are gone.
“Hockey means nothing when you see that. We’ll get through tonight (Saturday) and our thoughts should be with those players and families, too.”
Those hardest hit are players with connections to the Humboldt team and the town and those born in Saskatchewan.
Canucks defenceman Ashton Sautner is from tiny Flaxcombe — population 111 — and his uncle, Kevin Garinger, is president of the Broncos and was not on the struck bus. Sautner’s father coached in the SJHL and the ties the family has with the game and the province made the tragedy even harder to stomach.
“It’s very tough news,” said Sautner. “My cousin is good friends with the assistant coach and I don’t know any of the players.
“My uncle had to go back yesterday (Friday) and make a statement. The bus is where you feel safe and you spend a lot of time on it when you play junior hockey.
“It’s supposed to be a fun time. But when something like this happens, it’s terrible. Hockey means everything there. My hometown is Kindersley (Sask.) where I spend my summers. They support their teams and the fans are very passionate. I’m sure they (Humboldt residents) can recover.”
Derrick Pouliot was born in Estevan — population 11,258 — and the Canucks blue-liner played triple-A midget and often travelled to Tisdale, near the crash site.
“My brother played in the SJHL and they had some bus rides for sure that were on icy roads and blizzards,” recalled Pouliot.
“You really feel for the families and the community. Hopefully everybody can band together to support them.”
Dorsett was born in Kindersley — population 4,571 — and came to learn of another horrific bus tragedy.
His hometown was devastated on Dec. 30, 1986 when the WHL Swift Current Broncos were bound for Regina and their bus struck a patch of black ice. It went airborne and the crash claimed the lives of players Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff.
The Humboldt tragedy hit Dorsett just as hard.
“Obviously, I’m at a loss for words,” said the retired Canucks winger. “We were at dinner last night (Friday) and found out and (the room) went silent. It shows how big the hockey community is and how it affects everyone.
“I can’t even imagine what the players, their families, the town of Humboldt and the province of Saskatchewan and even further on are feeling. Their roster has Alberta and B.C. kids, too, and this is heartbreaking. It’s the most terrible thing that can happen.
“I played a lot of minor hockey in Humboldt. It’s a small province but great people and I know the hockey community will rally around and support them as much as we can.”
At one point, Green got emotional when addressing the tragedy. He has ridden his share of buses as a player and coach and has a daughter and two sons.
“It’s really sad and horrific and nothing you say is going to make anyone feel better,” said the Canucks’ coach. “It’s hard to put it into words. It makes you think about your kids.
“Things like this really bring out what’s important in your life.”