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The Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy has struck a chord across the world as people found ways to express their condolences and grief for the 15 people killed and 14 injured.
Following vigils held across the province, the hashtag #putyourstickout began trending as people put their hockey sticks out with their porch lights left on as a sign of solidarity.
Don’t forget to put your sticks out with the Porch light on in honour of the #HumboldtBroncos.
“Let the light Guide you Home”#Canada and the #USA mourns with you. #PutYourStickOut#HumboldtStrong pic.twitter.com/qMX9IRDAcB
— Nah (@ItsPronotRetail) April 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/lgrcolleen/status/983135706993315840
https://twitter.com/ChrisTrudel1/status/983182211108057088
Saw this earlier and thought it was a great idea.
Leaving my hockey stick out with the porch lights on tonight in honor of the #HumboldtBroncos
We all mourn with you #PutYourStickOut pic.twitter.com/HtdRCaXs01
— Tim OMell (@timomell) April 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/ttcchief/status/983134435146125313
Artists reach out in wake of tragedy
Canadian actor Tom Jackson, best known for his role in North of 60, wrote a heartfelt poem in tribute to the lives lost in the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy.
When we were kids out on the street
You were Gordie Howe I was Gretzky
You were tough when I had the puck
Sometimes we’d fight till we had enough
You’d score a goal our sticks held high
NHL here we come, it’s Saturday night
Mom yells “Dinners ready at the hall of fame.
Come on before it gets cold, let’s watch the game”
Our fathers and mothers played Sisters and brothers played
The fella who held a grudge, you know, what’s his name Those who took the hit and never complained
The tailgaters who stood in line, waiting to pay
Those who left before it’s over, those who stayed
Those who waited til the bitter end
The opposing fans and all your friends…we need to say.
Before you go away We need a minute to pray…okay?
Life will never be the same… but we will meet you again… at the first intermission…on hockey night in heaven…
Another poem was tweeted out about the rink in the sky.
The Rink In The Sky.
Powerful poem. #PrayersForHumboldt pic.twitter.com/wIeUGswBaS
— HockeyPerks (@HockeyPerks) April 8, 2018
Sports world grieves with Humboldt
On Saturday night several NHL hockey teams had tributes dedicated to the Humboldt Broncos before the games.
The hockey world mourns with Humboldt. Players, fans, and the rest of the hockey community took time to keep all those affected by the tragedy in our thoughts. #PrayForHumboldt https://t.co/XiTw2CfmlC
— NHL (@NHL) April 8, 2018
The Jets and Blackhawks all wore jerseys with the name Broncos on the back, saying they are all Broncos.
Powerful sight here in Wpg before the start of #NHLJets and #Blackhawks. #NHL #TSN #PrayersForHumboldt pic.twitter.com/YdxnvwxOwe
— Sara Orlesky (@saraorlesky) April 7, 2018
A tribute from the @NHLJets, Blackhawks and the entire @NHL.#PrayersForHumboldt pic.twitter.com/B69iJwi3tm
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 7, 2018
Tonight was for the Broncos. #PrayersForHumboldt pic.twitter.com/oQ12YHSCPM
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 8, 2018
The crowd at the game chanted Go Broncos Go The same chant rang out at the Edmonton Oilers Game.
And the chant goes into 'Let's Go Broncos' at the @EdmontonOilers game tonight. #HumboldtStrong #HumboltBroncos pic.twitter.com/dzqeoakw10
— #inthesticks (@Geetee_123) April 8, 2018
The Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos also paid tribute to their fellow Saskatchewan hockey players at a playoff game Saturday night.
We Are One, We Are Family #HumboldtStrong pic.twitter.com/AqccqcYRQt
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) April 8, 2018
The crowd at the Saskatchewan Rush game chanted Go Broncos Go.
SOUND ON. pic.twitter.com/oDfjbTtZt2
— Saskatchewan Rush (@SaskRushLAX) April 8, 2018
On Hockey Night in Canada, a special edition of Coach’s Corner paid tribute to the Broncos
Saskatchewan born coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mike Babcock also delivered an emotional statement about the tragedy.
The Toronto the Blue Jays wore baseball hats emblazoned with Humboldt Broncos.
The #BlueJays will put up the auction link on #MLB website later today for those wanting to place a bid on @MStrooo6 game worn cap, where he honoured the victims of Friday’s tragedy. All proceeds will go to #HumboldtBroncos #HumboldtStrong pic.twitter.com/Kocve0yGqd
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) April 8, 2018
Loved ones share stories online
Some family members of the victims and survivors also took to social media to share their grief and remember their loved ones.
On Twitter Justin Wack shared a video produced by his brother Stephen Wack who was killed in the crash. In addition to hockey, he also had aspirations to be a video producer.
https://twitter.com/J_wack/status/982750906352455680
Ryan Gobeil tweeted a photo of a tattoo with his brother’s heartbeat from the intensive care unit.
https://twitter.com/ryangobeil/status/982833041860001793
World leaders, celebrities send messages of support
World leaders and celebrities expressed their condolences to the families and the grieving community.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II released a statement on behalf of the royal family Sunday.
Her Majesty The Queen has sent this message to the families of the victims of the recent bus crash in Canada. Read the full message here > https://t.co/V7J1K1ftG1
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 8, 2018
Words can not describe the loss that we feel tonight.
From a grieving province, thank you to first responders & medical professionals for courageous response under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.
Tonight, we all must pray for these families.https://t.co/dEnhKMkDxJ
— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) April 7, 2018
To the entire Humboldt Broncos hockey community: We are here for you. As neighbours, as friends, and as Canadians, we grieve alongside you. Statement: https://t.co/jKloGgn5io
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 7, 2018
Just spoke to @JustinTrudeau to pay my highest respect and condolences to the families of the terrible Humboldt Team tragedy. May God be with them all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2018
Throughout the weekend celebrities and hockey players also reached out with messages of condolence.
Didn’t sleep. Waves of grief. Played against several of these boys on the national team. This is my province, these are our boys. What can we do? Well not much now but no reason we can’t raise a million. The families will all need it. Join me in donating. https://t.co/yGR9W1HXoU
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) April 7, 2018
My heart breaks this morning for the entire Humboldt Broncos community. I am sending so much love to everyone affected.💔
— The Ellen Show (@TheEllenShow) April 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/teganandsara/status/982640452330405888
I am crying. This is every parents worst nightmare. I will be in prayer and will also be regretting that what faith I feel helps in the sharing of these parents grief cannot be accompanied by any works….it’s a helpless feeling. I wish there was something I could do. https://t.co/NICdJcj2MC
— chantal (@chantalkreviaz) April 7, 2018
#HumboltBroncos The heartbreak of all the families and friends of these young men- is felt from coast to coast- to the far north and beyond. So awful. So sudden. So incomprehensible. We are all so sorry for these young lives lost and are mourning with you.
— Jann “stop live horse export” Arden (@jannarden) April 7, 2018
At his concert on Sunday night, Rod Stewart did his own tribute to the Humboldt Broncos, noting his personal connection as a hockey dad.
The tragedy inspired many others to put their grief to words and music.
A pair of Saskatchewan cousins wrote a song to honour the players.
https://www.facebook.com/EmeraldGreeneDuo/videos/877902739063090/
They weren’t the only ones to write a song.
https://youtu.be/hjCMOJr4raM
Niagara Falls was lit up with the colours of the Broncos on Sunday night.
Niagara Falls was illuminated in the colours of green and gold this evening, as a symbol of binational support for the residents of Humboldt, Saskatchewan as they deal with the pain and shock emanating from Friday's terrible crash. #HumboldtBroncos #HumboldtStrong #NiagaraFalls pic.twitter.com/lrFcH2FI8c
— Christine Hess (@christine_chess) April 9, 2018
