The Humboldt Broncos’ bus crash Friday that killed 15, including players, coaches, a statistician, a broadcaster, and the bus driver, has sparked plenty of tributes and donations from across the hockey world. The aftereffects continued to ripple Monday, especially with the news that one victim had been incorrectly identified at first and the discussions of recovery efforts for paralyzed survivors like Ryan Straschnitzki.
But there’s one particularly interesting gesture spreading as a way to show those affected they’re on the minds of the hockey community, with people across Canada and the world leaving hockey sticks out in tribute. It started with TSN 1290 Radio Winnipeg Jets broadcaster Brian Munz, who previously called games in the SJHL (including with the Broncos) for five years, and posted a text he received from a buddy in Humboldt Sunday:
And that’s caught on like wildfire, across Canada and beyond. A lot of great responses can be seen on the #PutYourSticksOut hashtag. Here are some of them:
https://twitter.com/RobFaiNation/status/983232935825256449
Thinking of the good people of Humboldt here in Melbourne, Australia. #PutYourSticksOut pic.twitter.com/Hw0WkTGla8
— ??? (@hawknut888) April 9, 2018
It's the only stick this Texas girl owns and the boys will have to be desperate to need it, but it's theirs just in case. Sticks out, y'all. #putyoursticksout pic.twitter.com/U2oQhuVa1h
— Cindy
(@cinnytoast) April 9, 2018
Famed former women’s hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser, a Saskatchewan native, joined in with a special stick she put out ahead of her trip to Humboldt to help honor the lost at a special concert by Canadian country musician Paul Brandt:
Former NHLer Cliff Ronning jumped in too:
And the U.S. embassy in Ottawa joined in, as did the Surrey, B.C. detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
It may be a simple gesture, but it’s one that’s touched a lot of people and illustrated the global effects of this crash. And it’s an example of the many ways the hockey community has come together in the wake of this awful tragedy.
[CBC/photo from Puck Nut on Twitter]
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