Humboldt Broncos

Carley Matechuk, sister of Humboldt Broncos crash survivor, gets Alex Ovechkin tattoo after meeting Ovi with brother

Last April, the NHL community mourned after the Humboldt Broncos got in a traffic accident. The bus full of young teenaged players was on its way to a game against the Nipawin Hawks when it was T-boned by a transport truck. 16 people, most of whom were players, died.

Broncos player Layne Matechuk was one of 13 lucky souls to survive the crash but suffered a severe brain injury. During Layne’s rehabilitation that continues to this day, the Pittsburgh Penguins, his favorite team, gave the Saskatoon native the opportunity to go to any Pens game he wanted to meet his favorite player, Sidney Crosby. Layne ultimately picked the March 12 game against the Washington Capitals so that his sister Carley, who he is very close with, could also see the Caps and her favorite player, Alex Ovechkin, play. The game was a dream come true for the siblings. Ovechkin scored his 1200th point that night.

Six months later, Carley revealed that she got Ovechkin’s signature from that day tattooed on her ankle in a stunning tribute.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin takes photo with Humboldt crash survivor

On Tuesday, Layne Matechuk, one of 13 survivors of the devastating crash involving the Humboldt Broncos last year, attended practice in Pittsburgh ahead of the Capitals’ matchup against the Penguins.

Matechuk, whose favorite player is Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, has been looking forward to attending the game with his family, including his sister (and Capitals fan!) Carley, for weeks.

With the trip already likely to be a memorable one for Layne, Alex Ovechkin gave the Matechuks one more incredible memory to take back to Saskatoon with them, meeting with the family and snapping a picture.

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By Donya Abramo 3 years ago

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Final Humboldt Broncos player released from hospital as team makes SJHL playoffs

Almost one year ago, the Humboldt Broncos were involved in a devastating crash that left 16 people dead — including 10 players — and 13 others with injuries. The last player still in hospital, defenseman Morgan Gobeil, has finally been released after his 333-day stay.

Gobeil suffered a serious head injury in the crash. Over his 333 days in hospital, the 19-year-old has undergone several surgeries, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. While he has made significant progress, Gobeil is still not able to walk or talk. In a statement issued via the Saskatoon Health Authority, his family said that they believe those are milestones that they “will someday be able to celebrate.”

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By Donya Abramo 3 years ago

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The Humboldt Broncos played their first game since its tragic bus crash. Every player aboard had their jersey retired.

There was a somber mood as the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League approached opening night.

Tragedy rocked the hockey community on April 6, 2018, when a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos was involved in a fatal collision with a truck. That crash resulted in the deaths of 16 people involved in the organization, and left 13 others injured – their lives never the same.

After months of remembrances and tributes during the offseason, the Broncos organization rebuilt its team and got back to doing what it does best on Wednesday: playing hockey. In front of a sold-out crowd at Elgar Petersen Arena, Humboldt took on the reigning SJHL champion, the Nipawin Hawks, the same team the Broncos were traveling to play against when the crash occurred.

The game was broadcast live on TSN and had many memorable and wonderful moments.

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By Donya Abramo 3 years ago

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Chandler Stephenson brings Stanley Cup to Humboldt, wears #HumboldtStrong shirt

Friday morning, Chandler Stephenson made good on his promise to bring the Stanley Cup to Humboldt to honor the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

The Cup arrived at the Elgar Petersen Arena for Hockey Day in Humboldt, escorted by Stephenson who wore a Humboldt strong t-shirt.

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By Julia Karron 3 years ago

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Stanley Cup makes emotional visit to Humboldt Broncos memorial site

After winning the Stanley Cup in June, Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson has made true on a promise he told friends early during the postseason. Stephenson, who grew up in nearby Saskatoon, would bring the NHL’s championship trophy to Humboldt, Saskatchewan. The heartfelt gesture was made to help lift the spirits of a community reeling after losing most of its junior hockey team to a tragic bus crash.

Friday morning, as the Stanley Cup made its way to Humboldt, Stephenson and Keeper of the Cup Philip Pritchard stopped by the Broncos memorial site to honor the hockey players lost in the tragedy.

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By Ian Oland 3 years ago

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Plans for Chandler Stephenson’s Cup day in Humboldt revealed

In late June, news surfaced that Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson would spend his day with the Stanley Cup in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Stephenson, who grew up 70 miles west of the devastated town, was deeply affected by the tragedy.

“Usually before you win the Cup you don’t say the words Stanley Cup, but he actually at the start of the playoffs told a lot of people about how he wanted to take the Cup to Humboldt if he won,” NHL Director of Social Engagement Andrew Ference said. “He’s a Saskatoon native, so I was cheering for him obviously for that reason alone. And lo and behold he won it.”

Friday, the Broncos announced that the NHL and NHLPA will be supporting Stephenson’s event which is being called Humboldt Hockey Day. Stephenson will meet with Humboldt community members, take photos, sign autographs, and play shinny hockey with kids. Capitals prospect Connor Hobbs will join Stephenson in Humboldt along with a good deal of current and former NHL players.

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By Ian Oland 3 years ago

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Driver of semi-truck involved in Humboldt Broncos crash charged and arrested

On April 6, a bus carrying Sasketchewan Junior Hockey League team, the Humboldt Broncos, was involved in a fatal collision which resulted in the deaths of 16 people, and left 13 others injured.

Across the world, the hockey community came together to mourn the tragic loss of life. Tributes ranged from a moment of silence, to leaving sticks out for the boys, to donating a custom goalie mask. The Broncos coach, Darcy Haugan, also posthumously received the inaugural Willie O’Ree award at the NHL Awards in June.

Friday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that they had arrested and pressed 29 charges against the driver of the semi-truck, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, which include 16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, and 13 counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing bodily injury. He is set to appear in court in Saskatchewan next week.

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By Donya Abramo 3 years ago

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Chandler Stephenson will bring the Stanley Cup to Humboldt on August 24

April 6, tragedy struck the hockey world when a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos crashed, killing 15. In the wake of the horrible accident, the hockey community has rallied around the Humboldt community. Hockey players everywhere left their sticks out for the night to honor the victims, while the surviving Broncos have been invited to Stanley Cup Final games and the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

Recently, the NHL announced another way the league will show their support for the community: Caps forward Chandler Stephenson will bring the Cup to Humboldt on August 24.

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By Brendan Doyle 3 years ago

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Humboldt Broncos coach Darcy Haugan posthumously receives inaugural Willie O’Ree award at NHL Awards

On Wednesday, the NHL hosted their annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas. The inaugural Willie O’Ree Community Hero award was presented at the event to Humboldt Broncos late head coach, Darcy Haugan.

Haugan was killed in the tragic bus accident earlier this year, which also cost the lives of 15 other members of the Broncos organization.

The surviving players from the accident were in attendance to accept the award on behalf of Haugan, along with his widow, Christina.

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By Donya Abramo 3 years ago

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