More than 600 people came out Thursday night to the Castlegar Complex to show support for the victims and families of those killed and injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus accident.
They were all decked out in every imaginable hockey jersey as a tribute to the power and impact of hockey in the community.
After a standing ovation for the many first responders in attendance, Elder Bev Gillard, Director, Vice-Chair of the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society, opened the vigil with a blessing.
Watch a replay of the vigil at the bottom of the story
Next, Members of the C.O.I.N.S. Drummers from the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society performed, starting with 16 honour beats. They next performed a stirring version of the Eagle Song, followed by a Cree healing song. The honour beats brought the impact of the vigil to a head with intensity.
Castlegar Rebels president Mike Johnstone opened the formal presentations with a deeply personal and emotional speech, capably bringing home why this tragedy impacted every community across Canada.
“I started taking a mental tour of our team bus on road trips. I could see head coach Bill Rotheisler up on the right, bus driver Robert behind the wheel up front, J.R. Ross right behind him, and then you turn around, and you look back towards the back of the bus, and there are your kids, your boys, your sons,” Johnstone said through tears. “I can tell you, there’s no place those boys would rather be than on that bus, and there’s nowhere they are more comfortable than on that bus with their brothers.”
“The thought of anything happening to our guys — players, coaches, drivers — is like a shot through the soul. I don’t know how they are managing in Saskatchewan. That’s what makes the accident on Friday night so unfair and so heartbreaking: We’ve all been there, we’ve all been on that bus. It could have been any of us.”
Selkirk Saints head coach Brent Heaven joined former Saints player — and former Humboldt Broncos player — Ashton McLeod to share their thoughts. McLeod, wearing his Humboldt Broncos jersey with a bright “A” on the chest, was able to deliver his remarks despite the still-fresh grief that was evident. Coach Heaven rested an arm on Ashton’s shoulder to steady him during the more difficult passages.
“Humboldt, this small town farming community became a second home for me. With a population of only 6,000 people, this place IS a hockey community, it IS their backbone. It’s what everyone looks forward to at the end of the week to head down to the arena, and support their hometown Broncos,” McLeod said. “Whether you’re walking downtown, getting a bite to eat, or fueling up your truck, everyone in the community would go out of their way to ask you how you were doing and show their support. It is such a tightly knit, loving and genuine community. I am deeply saddened for the people who have to endure this pain.”
McLeod went on to describe what it was like to bond with teammates on those long bus rides across snowy highways.
“The bus for us hockey players is a safe haven. Many hours have been spent by all of us travelling all over different provinces pursuing the game that we love. Whether it was Rookie Idol for all of the first-year players, to playing cards at the back of the bus, to eventually having to buckle down on your studies through the late-night road trips, it becomes home,” McLeod said.
“This is the place here your second family is developed. It is where a brotherhood forms. You develop such a bond amongst the players, that cannot exactly be explained until you’ve experienced it for yourself. It is love. Love for the game, and love for your fellow brothers.”
McLeod then closed with the lyrics from musician Jay Smith’s song Humboldt Strong:
“We left a stick out on the front step and signed all your names,
Turned the porch light on just in case you wanted one more game,
There’s no referees or scoreboards and the periods never end
Use the clouds as an ice rink while you play with all your friends
Hey mom and dad, well I made it to the show
You always told me that I would so don’t you worry anymore
I’ve got my teammates by my side, so you don’t have to cry
Just promise me one last thing: you’ll leave the light on, and put my stick out by the door
All the hotel hallway games we played or Slapshot on the bus
There wasn’t anything in this world what meant this much to us
We’ll use your tears to flood the ice, and your prayers to keep us warm
This won’t be our last game, we’re still Humboldt strong.
Hey mom and dad, well I made it to the show
You always told me that I would so don’t you worry anymore
I’ve got my teammates by my side, so you don’t have to cry
Just promise me one last thing: you’ll leave the light on, and put my stick out by the door.”
