A memorial for the fatal bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team at the intersection of Highways 35 and 335 near Tisdale, Tuesday, October 27, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
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“I think it’s one of those days where you’ll always remember where you were when you heard the news,” Medicine Hat Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer said when asked about the fourth anniversary of the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
The Broncos were traveling to a playoff game on April 6, 2018, when the team bus crashed into a semi-truck that went into its path after the truck’s driver failed to stop at a stop sign on a highway north of Tisdale, Sask.
Frazer said he was in Winnipeg watching the ‘program of excellence,’ a showcase for Manitoba players ahead of the WHL draft when he heard the news.
Sixteen people were killed and another 13 were injured when the bus was struck by a semi-truck that went through a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 35 and 335.
“Just how devastating and shocking it was, just for everyone, the whole hockey community, and just to see everybody galvanize and come together, support not only Humboldt but everyone in the hockey community,” Frazer said. “Obviously a big day for remembering all those people we lost.”
April 7 was declared Green Shirt Day in Humboldt by Humboldt Mayor Michael Behiel. The day commemorates the contributions Logan Boulet and his family have made around recognizing and fundraising for organ and tissue donation.
Tigers forward Logan Barlage is a product of Humboldt and was traded to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in January 2018. The Hurricanes beat the Brandon Wheat Kings that same night to take a 1-0 playoff series lead.
“It’s tough for Humboldt and they went through a lot as a city and there was a lot of support in Humboldt,” Barlage said. “Knowing some guys on the bus and survivors and how far they’ve came and how much they’ve changed the world already. It’s good to see and a good way to remember them this week.”
