Flames play host to family of late Broncos coach

There were a couple of special guests on the home bench for Friday’s optional practice at the Saddledome.

The Calgary Flames are hosting the family of the late Darcy Haugan — his widow, Christina, and sons Carson and Jackson.

As head coach of the Humboldt Broncos, Darcy Haugan was among those who died last April in the devastating bus crash that rocked the hockey world.

Carson and Jackson watched Friday’s practice from the best seats in the house and then were invited to hang out with the Flames’ players in the locker-room.

Christina and the boys — aged 13 and 10 — were also in attendance for Thursday’s comeback victory over the Colorado Avalanche and will stick around for Saturday’s matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Saddledome.

Carson and Jackson Haugan were also runners for the Flames at the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas.

“Those kids are awesome, an awesome family,” said Flames bench boss Bill Peters.

“If we can put a smile on their face, that’s our obligation to do that. But I’ll tell you what, they give us more laughs and smiles than we give them.”