Hockey is a community. Yorkton is part of that hockey community, whether it鈥檚 the young kids strapping on their skates for the first time in the IP league or the young men playing for the SJHL鈥檚 Terriers, the highest level hockey in the city. So when tragedy hits the hockey community, as it did on April 6 when the Humboldt Broncos鈥� bus collided with a semi, killing 16 and injuring 13, it鈥檚 time for the community to support each other.
In Yorkton, that meant past and current players from the area came together to do what they know best 鈥� play hockey 鈥� in order to support Humboldt in their time of crisis. The benefit game, played at the Farrell Agencies Arena, filled the house and raised over $67,000 for Humboldt.
Two teams, one in gold, the other green, the Broncos鈥� colours, took to the ice to play for the charity. After three periods of play, the score wound up being 12-6 for the yellow squad.
Organizer Bret Peppler, who also played for the green team, said that he wanted to do something for the people affected as soon as he heard the news of the collision.
鈥淲hen I first heard the news it was obviously tragic. That should never happen to young kids who are trying to live their dream... All you want to do is play hockey and ride the bus, and when you鈥檙e on the bus you feel safe. When something like that happens, what we want to do is give back to them.鈥�
As a hockey player, and one who wanted to support other people in the hockey community, Peppler鈥檚 instincts naturally went to hockey.
鈥淵orkton鈥檚 a strong hockey community... Lots of good players here. So what I thought we could do is the only thing we really know, have a hockey game and fundraise some money.鈥�
After floating the idea to Instagram, players immediately began reaching out to Peppler because they wanted to play in the game.
鈥淚 actually feel bad because I had to turn a few guys away. It wasn鈥檛 me, it was all the support that came to me... If anything comes from this tragedy, it鈥檚 bringing people together, and we see that here tonight. This rink hasn鈥檛 been full like this in 13 years.鈥�
One of those players was former Terrier Kailum Gervais. He played in the game because he wanted to show support for the Humboldt team.
鈥淲e鈥檝e all been in those guys鈥� shoes, and you never think that鈥檚 going to happen.鈥�
The evening was a bit of a reunion, with many of the players knowing each other and playing together over the years. Gervais noted that the hockey community is a small one, so they all felt it was important to support members of their own community.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like you never missed a beat with those guys, so it鈥檚 good to come together. The hockey community is a real tight knit group.鈥�
Peppler would like to thank everyone, whether it鈥檚 players, fans, volunteers or those donating to the event. The event wouldn鈥檛 happen with many people coming together to put it on.
