With news of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy fresh in their minds, the Nickel Centre Peewee Ice Dogs from Garson earned a gold medal at the 22nd Ken Creasey House League tournament on the weekend.
The gold-medal game on Sunday was no ordinary game, though. In honouring those who were killed in that collision on Friday, much like the rest of the hockey world did, the team wrapped their sticks in green tape and held a moment of silence to remember the victims.
“The horrific news we all heard Saturday put a huge lump in our throats,” said Kailey Boivin, a hockey mom. “As our babies were lacing up for another game, these parents were being informed they wouldn’t see their babies again. When we grieve, we grieve as a nation.”
“In the small town of Garson — a few provinces over — we have some pretty amazing kids. May the families have strength during this tragic time.”
Steve Bangs, former team manager, has been a hockey dad for years. He's managed a number of hockey teams over the past seven years, and for him and many others in his situation, the fatal crash on Friday hit home.
“To the world, people see hockey as a team sport, but it’s much more than this,” he said. “Parents and the kids who end up on your team become family. Out-of-town tournaments become family getaways. It give us opportunities to turn frozen lakes into memories.
“Hearing what happen on Friday has affected not only the association in Saskatchewan, but each and every hockey association around the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of those grieving families during this hard time.”
The team also raised $320 by passing around a skate in the dressing room on Sunday for the GoFundMe campaign set up in honour of the victims. As of Monday at 12:45 p.m., the campaign had already raised $5.2 million.
The Nickel Centre Peewee Ice Dogs team includes Max Kesek, Noah Bangs, Tanner Rollins, Gracie Boivin, Jack Horsfall, Jesse Dasti, Kellan Walsh, Macy Allen, Matteo Bissonette, Alex King, Ashton Desormeaux, Cohen Thibault, Colton Ricard, Curtus Mackey and Ethan Larocque.
Sudbury.com is looking to post photos of any hockey team or group that honoured the Broncos. If you have a photo you would like to share — it doesn't have to be hockey related, just a way in which you honoured those who died — in our online gallery, email it to [email protected].
