Understand that we are BUILDING foundations for future generations with our words and actions
To always have hope and BELIEVE that everything is possible
To always GIVE more than you take
To strive for GREATNESS in all areas of life…
— excerpt from broncos coach darcy haugan’s core covenant
In this day of divided opinions, few things bring society together for a common cause. On April 6, 2018, 16 lives were lost, 13 were injured, dozens directly impacted and millions around the world were emotionally distraught.
“Humboldt” will always be associated with the Humboldt Bronco’s hockey team tragedy. However, Humboldt has also become a symbol of community spirit, family, friendships and international unity. It is the epitome of small-town hockey.
WHEN WE THINK OF “HUMBOLDT” WE THINK OF…
Family
Hockey
Community
Love
Loss
Resilience
Spirit
HOW A SMALL TOWN TRAGEDY TOUCHED THE WORLD
With thousands of media outlets covering the tragedy from every corner of the world, some asked why this tragic event made such a global impact. Psychologists point to the fact that we could all identify with the loss; we could all imagine ourselves being impacted in a similar way.
HOW A SMALL TOWN TRAGEDY TOUCHED THE WORLD
With thousands of media outlets covering the tragedy from every corner of the world, some asked why this tragic event made such a global impact. Psychologists point to the fact that we could all identify with the loss; we could all imagine ourselves being impacted in a similar way. So many of us have had kids on sports teams, we have family members who are coaches and we’ve experienced the close bonds– the relationships between players, coaches, families and communities – and so many of our children have traveled on team vehicles to participate in sports. Those who have a relationship with hockey, know that small town teams lie at the heart of this sport. The relationship between these communities and their teams are tight, and Humboldt has now become the symbol of small-town hockey and the value that sports deliver beyond winning games.
In the weeks following the tragedy, over 150,000 people from over 80 countries contributed financially to support the families. Over the ensuing months, over 9,000 items from across the world were delivered to the community in the spirit of love and support. For weeks, hockey sticks were left outside doors across Canada to remember and honour the team. World leaders, NHL teams, players, coaches, sports figures and celebrities shared their grief and spoke out to support the community and honour those that were lost, injured or impacted. Many of these leaders could relate as they began their career traveling countless miles in a bus in pursuit of their dreams.
Following the ground swell of individuals and companies wanting to support the affected families, a memorials committee was formed, comprised of family members, members of the Broncos organization and the City of Humboldt. A plan was conceived to create a tribute that honours lives lost and affected while inspiring future generations and recognizing the unprecedented global response.
The Humboldt Broncos Memorials Committee has embarked on a project to construct a community facility that will pay tribute to the team and positively influence lives for decades to come, as well as a roadside memorial that will allow for reflection and healing at the site of the tragedy.
“HOCKEY WORLD RESPONDS TO CRASH” — CBC NEWS NETWORK
“HUMBOLDT BRONCOS BUS CRASH LEAVES NHL PLAYERS, COACHES HEARTBROKEN”
— THE GLOBE AND MAIL
ICE SURFACE
The Proposed Humboldt Broncos Tribute Centre and Memorial
THE PROPOSED HUMBOLDT BRONCOS TRIBUTE ARENA AND MEMORIAL
“As hard as this has been, we know something good can come of this. This tragedy can have a positive impact, it can inspire young athletes and have a motivating impact on our local and national community. We can positively influence athletes, coaches and team cultures.”
— Parent of a former Broncos player
As tragic as this event was, there is a common belief among the Broncos families that positive can and should come from this. The Humboldt Broncos Memorials Committee has set out on a journey to make a generational impact on team sports and communities across Canada with a facility that will be inspiring and motivating. The Broncos Tribute Arena and Training Centre will be a national symbol for community spirit that will celebrate what hockey means to our communities and the positive benefits of participation in sports and teamwork. The Humboldt tragedy reminded us all of the importance of family and community and the role that sport plays in those relationships. The Broncos Tribute Centre will celebrate these values while honouring those that have been lost or impacted in this tragedy.
ICE SURFACE
therapy & rehaBiliation centre
The facility will be a forward-looking tribute that will reflect on the past while inspiring the local community, the nation, young athletes and coaches for generations. A tribute that will inspire the countless visitors who make the trip to Humboldt to watch a Broncos game or visit the arena to feel the emotion and sense of community that is uniquely Humboldt. A facility with an emotional spirit that will inspire youth to achieve their dreams and remind Canada and the world of the importance of family, friendships and the positive life lessons that come from sports, teamwork and selfless community service.
From a functional perspective, the Humboldt Broncos Tribute Arena and Training Centre will include a new artificial ice surface to support local and regional hockey and skating sports, a training and fitness facility and multi-purpose rooms. A therapy and rehabilitation centre will accompany the training facility and support those in surrounding communities who are rehabilitating from injuries and are now driving hours for treatment. All of these facilities are desperately needed in this physically active community that is void of a community fitness and rehab facility and shares one aging ice surface built in 1980.
From an emotional perspective, the Tribute Centre will be ground-breaking; it will leave visitors with a motivating sense of community, gratefulness, inspiration and appreciation for sport, family and community, as they are taken on a journey from grief to hope and perseverance.
Gallery
Training &
fitness centre
WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE HUMBOLDT BRONCOS
The Broncos Tribute Centre will capture what many have missed through all of the media coverage. The fact that the 2017/18 Humboldt Broncos had a special culture, a higher purpose that went beyond winning games, but ultimately led to success on the ice. Coach Darcy Haugan was a man of character, led by example and built a selfless culture that prioritized the development of outstanding young men. His team prioritized giving back to the community and embraced a sense of selflessness, respect, integrity, and love for one another.
WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE HUMBOLDT BRONCOS
The Broncos Tribute Centre will capture what many have missed through all of the media coverage. The fact that the 2017/18 Humboldt Broncos had a special culture, a higher purpose that went beyond winning games, but ultimately led to success on the ice. Coach Darcy Haugan was a man of character, led by example and built a selfless culture that prioritized the development of outstanding young men. His team prioritized giving back to the community and embraced a sense of selflessness, respect, integrity, and love for one another.
The North American Junior Hockey Coach of the Year award has since been named after Darcy. Nominated Coaches are selected based on their ability to not only make a difference on the ice but as well as in their communities – following the example set by Darcy with the Humboldt Broncos.
“Every single kid on that bus was an incredible human being because that was the culture he designed and he expected.”
“We were building a culture of selfless leaders who served their community. We believed if we could develop good people that cared about each other, it would translate to success on the ice.”
“He built this team on character. He would take a guy who wasn’t as talented as another player because he had such a feel for good people.”
“I have been playing and coaching hockey all of my life and I have never seen or experienced a team culture like that. It was a brotherhood, they loved each other.”
“Darcy built a family. He expected them to treat each other like family. He didn’t always have the best players, but he always wanted to have good people.”
“It was very clear that this was a group of individuals with special character. They were all there for the common good, they all thought of others before themselves. They were all leaders. I commend Darcy for rather than building a team around talent, building a team around character. Huge respect that he actually did that.”
The North American Junior Hockey Coach of the Year award has since been named after Darcy. Nominated Coaches are selected based on their ability to not only make a difference on the ice but as well as in their communities – following the example set by Darcy with the Humboldt Broncos.
ROADSIDE
MEMORIAL
Many visitors to Humboldt are unaware that the tragedy occurred almost two hours north of the community. A rural intersection that is presently decorated with an assortment of crosses and numerous items of remembrance left by friends, family and those who have been so deeply touched by this tragedy.
The Humboldt Broncos Memorial Committee, in collaboration with the impacted families, will construct a permanent memorial structure at the site that will remember and honor the lives lost and those that have been forever impacted. The memorial will be a quiet place of reverence and reflection. It will provide an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the incredible lives of the 16 angels and 13 survivors.
Consideration will be given to conducting a nationwide search for a unique artistic/architectural design that will withstand the harsh weather that exists in rural Saskatchewan, while paying respect to the lives lost and affected.
FROM VISION TO REALITY WITH YOUR SUPPORT
FROM VISION TO REALITY WITH YOUR SUPPORT
The Humboldt Broncos Memorials Committee is currently evaluating a number of innovative opportunities to show leadership with this facility and make a lasting impact both locally and nationally.
A local, national and international fundraising campaign has been implemented to support facility construction. Leading Canadian architects, artists and design firms will be engaged as part of the project design phase. Success will depend on the collaboration of both private and public sector organizations, as well as individuals, to support the estimated capital budget of $35M.
The ambition for this project and the desired impact is unprecedented, as was the tragedy. We believe that the emotional energy from this tragic event can be harnessed to leave a legacy that will impact lives and inspire athletes, teams and communities for decades to come. This facility will change lives. We welcome your support and collaboration to bring this vision to reality.
