Humboldt plays first game since bus crash that killed 16

Brayden Camrud and Derek Patter were back on the ice for the Humboldt Broncos on Wednesday in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, in the team’s first game since 10 teammates and six other people were killed in a bus crash.

Camrud and Patter are the only survivors back with the junior hockey team. In a game televised commercial-free in Canada and the U.S., the Broncos lost 2-1 to the Nipawin Hawks, the team they were travelling to face the night of the April 6 crash with a tractortrailer.

Camrud overcame a severe concussion, loss of feeling in one of his arms and neck issues to make it back on the ice Wednesday. He and Patter shared a brief hug after they skated on the ice. They took part in a ceremonial puck drop with other crash survivors, with goalie Jacob Wassermann using a wheelchair to get on the ice.

“I think it’s a step in the healing process for sure,” said survivor Kaleb Dahlgren, who is now playing college hockey in Ontario. “Playing tonight definitely helps heal the wounds, but it won’t for sure heal everything. There’s still lots that need to be done.”

Predators: Forward Austin Watson has been suspended without pay by the NHL for the entire preseason and first 27 games of the regular season for domestic abuse.

Watson pleaded no contest in July to a charge of domestic assault stemming from an incident in June, and the NHL found Watson engaged in unacceptable off-ice conduct.

Blue Jackets: Columbus gave coach

John Tortorella a two-year contract extension through the 2020-21 season after leading the team to the playoffs in his first two full seasons.