Healing through hockey, Broncos to retake the ice tonight vs. Hawks

The Humboldt Broncos have held several events at the Elgar Petersen Arena. They held their vigil just moments after the team’s April 6 crash. They welcomed Saskatoon’s Chandler Stephenson to the rink to bring the Stanley Cup he won with the Washington Capitals.

But Wednesday will mark the first time that the Broncos will be back for competitive hockey. They will open their season at home against the SJHL defending champion Nipawin Hawks Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. live on TSN. Both teams were scheduled to play on April 6, so it’s fitting the Broncos’ first game will be against the Hawks.

“To be back at the rink, for hockey, is exciting. The first training camp, we got goosebumps because finally hockey is back in Humboldt,” Broncos president Jamie Brockman said. “I think at times, [hockey] helps heal and helps progress. It keeps us focused moving forward.”

Not only has the organization and the community have at least started to heal through the game, they’ve also healed through each other. Support has poured in quickly to Broncos from around the world, and certainly from Canadians. Brockman said Wednesday’s game sold out in a matter of minutes and the demand for tickets was “nuts.”

“We have felt so much support across the globe, across Canada, across Saskatchewan, Humboldt,” Brockman said. “A lot of people giving us well wishes. The love and support has been felt through all of this.”

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With all the new attention the team has received in the last few months, Brockman wanted all the newcomers to be aware of one important thing.

“Just to know that hockey is back in Humboldt,” he said. “We are strong and we are going to survive and we are going to move forward.”

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW