NHL Draft 2018: 15 first-hand takeaways from a weekend in Dallas
By Josh Clark
5. Humboldt Strong
On April 6, 2018, the hockey world changed forever when a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos hockey team crashed. 16 people were killed and 13 more were injured in the crash, with most of them being teenage hockey players for the team that participated in the SJHL.
The tragedy left a scar of unprecedented grief on the hockey world. But luckily, the hockey world knows how to stick together when the going becomes unimaginable.
From a GoFundMe account that raised over $15 million (a national record), to the tributes and acknowledgements made by teams from all hockey leagues, to hockey fans and players leaving their sticks on their front porches in tribute, there was an incredible response to the tragedy.
At the NHL Awards on the Wednesday night before the draft, the late Humboldt head coach Darcy Haugan was awarded the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. The award was received in his honor by the surviving members of the team as well as his wife.
And on Friday night, the Broncos received another award just moments before the draft.
After Gary Bettman took the stage to a roar of boos following a tribute video, he swiftly called for the booing to subside entirely so they could attend to some important business. That business was awarding the Humboldt Broncos with the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence. The team president accepted the award on behalf of the team.
The award was created in 2015 and is given annually to a candidate who exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.
Through the tragedy, the NHL and its 31 teams were devastated but inspired by the courage and perseverance of the team, its families, and the Humboldt community. Everyone became #HumboldtStrong and learned more about the junior hockey team and its role in the community.
The stories of the players lost and the players who survived are nothing short of inspirational and encouraging.
It was an incredible moment to kick off the draft with and gave Dallas fans a close up look at just how strong the Humboldt community has become. From the tribute video to the president’s speech, it was a touching way to bring in the next class of the NHL’s future.