The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

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Supporting the Humboldt Broncos

By:  Will Schiffman

On Friday, April 6, The Humboldt Broncos were on their way to a playoff game when their bus crashed into a tractor-trailer. The collision killed 16 members of the team and left over a dozen injured including coaches, players, and people close to the team.

The Humboldt Broncos, based out of Saskatchewan, Canada, are part of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, which has players aging from 16 to 21 years-old. These players are in this elite league to be scouted to play division one hockey.

This tragic accident affected so many people close to the Broncos team, the city of Humboldt, and the Hockey community.

Hockey players, including myself, know that there is a lot of traveling in the sport. From a young age you experience waking up early and going on an hour or more drive. Then in high school you take the bus for away games with your team.

Vincent Pascale, next years varsity hockey captain, said, “some of the best times I’ve had have been with my teammates on the bus, and it’s scary because this could have occurred to any hockey team.”

The hockey community has really come together during these tough times. During the first game after the accident the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets both had “Broncos” on the nameplate of their jerseys during warm-ups. Following warmups the teams came together in a circle at center ice and gave a moment of silence to the victims.

Now during the Stanley Cup Playoffs every player has a sticker of the Humboldt Broncos logo on the back of their helmets, and every coach is wearing a green ribbon on their jackets. Locally, the Boston Bruins did a 50/50 raffle in game one of the playoffs, which will amount to over $50,000.

People involved have come together to pay tribute to the Broncos as well. Outside of houses, workplaces and hockey stores people have laid hockey sticks against a wall. Everyone in my family has put out their hockey stick next to my front door in respect to the Broncos.

On Thursday April 12, people wore hockey jerseys to work and school to show their respect to the victims.

Kevin Flahive, another captain of next year’s hockey team, said, “it is great to see how close the hockey community is, and I am honored to be apart of it.”

Over ten million dollars have already been donated to the families of the victims, the first responders, and the Humboldt community.

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    Helaine gerstenApr 26, 2018 at 9:23 am

    What a touching well written story.Hockey has played such an important role in your life Will and the entire family supports your goals and accomplishments.The importance of team spirit cooperation respect and reach out support for one another has played an important role in your development as a,respected and respectful person you are today.Our support for all hockey players who share these important traits.

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