The hockey community across the country is grieving over the loss of 15 lives in the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos and the tragedy has impacted St. Albert.
Four alumni of the St. Albert Raiders Hockey Club – Stephen Wack, Jaxon Joseph, Logan Hunter and Conner Lukan – are among the 15 deaths from Friday’s collision between the team bus and a semi-trailer unit transporting peat moss.
Another 14 were injured in the crash, some critically.
The Broncos were headed to Nipawin for a playoff game in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League when the accident occurred 30 kilometres north of Tisdale.
The bus was carrying 29 people, including the driver,
The team roster of 24 players range in age from 16 to 21.
The driver of the semi-trailer was not injured and was detained temporarily after the collision but was released.
As part of the grieving process, the Raiders Hockey Club dressing room at Akinsdale Arena will be open today at 12 noon for family, friends and teammates to share memories of the four players. Rivers Edge counselors will also be in attendance.
“The Raiders are so tight knit and so many guys knew those four,” said Sam Smith-Ackerl, captain of the 2016/17 midget AAA Raiders who assisted Raiders’ head coach Jack Redlick in the initative. “It’s a good idea for grieving. It’s good to get together and help each other share stories and uplift each other.”
The midget AA Crusaders and bantam AA Bears will also wear memorial stickers on their helmets in tonight’s home playoff games in St. Albert.
The Raiders Hockey Club is also in the process of further endeavors to honour the memories of four local Broncos.
“We’re discussing how we can commemorate these kids' lives that passed away way too young,” said Raiders’ president Kevin Porter. “It’s quite shocking and devastating.”
Wack, 21, a six-foot-six defenceman, was in his second season with the Broncos after stints with the Camrose Kodiaks and Whitecourt Wolverines in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Wack played for the bantam AA Steel and bantam AAA Sabres in St. Albert, followed by the midget 15 Leduc Oil Kings and midget AAA Fort Saskatchewan Rangers.
Joseph, 20, a centreman, played for the bantam AA Blues, midget 15AA Royals and midget AA Blues in St. Albert before moving on to the Beaver Valley Nite Hawks in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, Surrey Eagles in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and Melfort Mustangs in the SJHL. The son of former NHLer Chris Joseph was acquired by the Broncos in a trade this season.
Hunter, 18, a right winger, was a first-year Bronco after seasons with the midget AA Blues and midget AAA Raiders in St. Albert.
Conner Lukan, 21, a centreman, hails from Slave Lake and in 2013/14 played for the midget AA Raiders, followed by three seasons with the Spruce Grove Saints in the AJHL and an off-season trade sent him to the Broncos.
Meanwhile, the Humboldt Broncos GoFundMe page has raised more than three million in support of the players and their families.
The Donnie MAC Cup hockey tournament Saturday in St. Albert donated all funds raised to the GoFundMe account.
Also, an account has been established in trust for the Wack, Joseph and Hunter families of St. Albert at the ATB by Walmart. It is setup for etransfers to [email protected]. Password is broncos. Direct deposits can also be made into the account number 831-00240872479.
