People all over the world felt the tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash this year. But here in Saskatchewan, hockey is forever in our hearts and communities were left in disbelief from the news. Disbelief turned to sadness, and sadness turned to looking for ways to support the community of Humboldt.  Right here in West Central Saskatchewan, there were many stories of people doing amazing things during this terrible time.  The following are just a few of them, as West Central Online remembers the Humboldt Broncos.

Vigils held in west central Sask. to support Humboldt Broncos

Published: Monday, 09 April 2018 06:00 Written by Moises Canales

During the past couple days all over our province, people gathered together to show their love and support for the people who lost their lives on that tragic Friday evening.

At Humboldt's Elgar Petersen Arena, the home of the SJHL's Humboldt Broncos, a large crowd of locals and visitors attended a vigil at 7:00 PM last night.

Some noteworthy guests in the audience included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, hockey broadcasting icons Ron Maclean and Don Cherry, and former Swift Current Broncos player Sheldon Kennedy, who was a member of the 1986 Broncos bus crash that took four lives.

Humboldt wasn't alone last night, though. Vigils were organized throughout a few communities in the west central area including Kindersley, Kerrobert, and Elrose.

Organizers in Kindersley planned a vigil at the town's curling rink. Not only did the local hockey community arrive to show their support, but everyone from all aspects of life held a candle last night to reflect and support those who are going through a difficult stretch after Friday's accident.

 

 

Kindersley paid tribute to the fallen from Friday's horrific accident just north of Tisdale. (photo: Rhonda Gasmo)

Down Highway 21 heading north, residents from Kerrobert and surrounding area held their own vigil for the same purpose.

A great number of people met near the Kerrobert Memorial Arena where a blockade was created by emergency services vehicles including the fire department and RCMP.

Locals formed a circle for the Kerrobert candle light vigil, similar to what we've seen at other events this past weekend. Posters with the words "Humboldt Strong" demonstrated the love and support from residents of Kerrobert. (photos: Town of Kerrobert Facebook)

Cst. Fillion of the Kindersley, Kerrobert and Eston attended the vigil in Kerrobert yesterday evening. (photo: Kindersley RCMP Facebook)

 

Elrose was another community who left their homes Sunday night to pay their respects to the men who lost their lives and the people who are suffering during this difficult time.

Residents met on the ice at the Elrose rink to hold candles and send their prayers to those affected by the Broncos accident.

Top photo: Brenda Fredrickson and Kerri Calwell speaking at the service in Elrose. Bottom photo: residents holding candles while encircling a table dedicated to the Broncos. (photos: West Central Online)

 

Many Saskatchewan communities joined in after a social media movement named #LightUpSaskatchewan put out a call out to join Humboldt.

"No matter where you are, to light a candle showing your support after the tragedy that all of Saskatchewan and Canada feels," read the post.

"After this terrible tragedy that happened yesterday, I say all of us come together and show the love and support these families deserve!"

 

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Today, more people will be showing their support as everyone has been asked to wear green today to show their support for the Humboldt Broncos and 107.5 Bolt FM and raise awareness for the lives lost this past weekend.

West Central Online also remembers two of our own lost in the tragedy.  Tyler Bieber and Brody Hinz who worked for Bolt FM and Discover Humboldt.

Bolt FM and discoverhumboldt are apart of Golden West Radio which also includes Country 104, Classic Hits Radio and West Central Online.

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Golden West President Lyndon Friesen shared these words: "It is with great sadness that we have learned both Tyler and Brody were victims of this tragedy. Tyler traveled with the team frequently as the play-by-play announcer. Having been with Golden West since the launch of Bolt FM in news and on-air, Tyler was a shining example of what it means to serve a community. Brody had recently joined our Golden West family, mentored by Tyler and the Bolt FM team. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all the young men we lost, and our own colleagues, whose lives have been cut short by this tragic event."