Cobourg Cougars pay tribute to Humboldt Broncos ahead of first away game
Sarah Hyatt | Northumberland News
COBOURG — Before hitting the road for their first away game Friday, the Cobourg Cougars remembered and paid tribute to the Humboldt Broncos.
“We have all been impacted by Humboldt and hope that today’s proceedings will be helpful as we reflect on the past and begin the next season that lies immediately down the road,” said Marc Mercier, the Cobourg Cougars governor.
Outside the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) Friday, Sept. 7, the Cougars hosted a non-denominational blessing of the team bus with players and staff ahead of their first away game against the Wellington Dukes.
At this time, the Cougars also unveiled a “We Play for Them” banner in tribute to the Humboldt Broncos.
In a statement released ahead of the Friday event, the Cobourg Cougars said, “Five months ago, a terrible event struck the hockey community when 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos tragically lost their lives during a road trip to Nipawin. It was a stark reminder about how delicate life can be and the need to embrace each and every day.”
On Friday, players, staff and the team’s supporters reflected on that stark day and as part of an ongoing tribute to Humboldt, unveiled the banner which will now hang permanently in the CCC and in more than 130 other Canadian Junior Hockey League arenas.
Players unveiled the banner, which was designed by Tyler Hutchinson of Moose Jaw, Sask., just before hopping on the bus Friday night for their away game.
In a release from the Ontario Junior Hockey League, it states the banner was designed “in honour and in remembrance of all those involved in the tragic events of April 6, 2018.”
The Cougars’ team bus is a “second dressing room” and a “sanctuary,” attendees heard.
Mercier recalled the “devastation” that followed the Broncos bus crash and described it as “unfathomable.
“Many lives were lost, and many lives have been impacted,” he said.
Mercier was joined by team Chaplain Tony Posthumus, Father Gerardus Hauwert of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church and Rev. Neil Ellis of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Friday. Together, the trio led attendees and the team in prayer and the blessing of protection.
Expecting some of the team and even players’ supporters could be feeling a little anxious, the hope was the blessing of protection and prayer would help, said Posthumus.
