Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
Sadness has spread across the country and around the world following a tragic accident involving the Humboldt Broncos Junior A hockey team Friday evening.
Heading to a playoff game in Nipawin, Sask. the team bus collided with a semi-truck about 20 minutes south of its destination. Some 15 people were killed and another 14 sustained injuries.
In the days that followed there has been an outpouring of support, including people leaving hockey sticks outside their homes for the deceased, a “jersey day” planned today in schools and workplaces, and a number of tribute events. Three Napanee hockey organizations are planning their own effort.
The Napanee District Minor Hockey Association, Napanee Crunch Female Hockey, and the Napanee Raiders Junior C team have arranged for condolence books to be available at the Strathcona Paper Centre through Saturday.
“The three executives felt that it was important for our hockey community to reach out to the Humboldt hockey community, and we felt that the books of condolence would be a tangible way that our families could connect,” said NDMHA president Ellen South.
Ryan Wartman of Wartman’s Funeral Home graciously donated the books and the Town of Greater Napanee has provided space to allow the books to be signed. They will be sent to Humboldt after Saturday.
South indicated there have also been discussions among the three executives about a collective tribute event that would allow the organizations’ members to show their support but details were still being finalized.