Players’ families share heart-breaking news on Humboldt Broncos’ tragedy

Family members and supporters of the Humboldt Broncos started to share updates and voice support in wake of the team’s fatal collision with a semi-trailer north of Tisdale Friday.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m., the sister of Broncos’ head coach and general manager Darcy Haugen confirmed her brother was killed in the crash.

My brother didn’t make it…

— invisigirlonfire (@DebbieJayneC) April 7, 2018

The mother of Broncos’ forward Ryan Straschnitzki took to Facebook to tell friends and family that the Airdrie native was recovering in hospital.

Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench said when he heard the tragic news, local council immediately gathered at city hall.

In an emotional interview, he told 650 CKOM they quickly decided to open the Elgar Peterson Arena — the home of the Bronco’s — as a gathering point for the community.

Muench said when they arrived at the uniplex, people were already there.

“People were sitting in the rink with nothing going on. They were just sitting there, looking at the ice,” he said. “It was kind of sad.”

Rhonda Tobin, the mother of Broncos’ goaltender Parker Tobin told her family and friends that Parker was being taken to hospital in Saskatoon shortly after 9:30 p.m.

This is one of the hardest posts I have ever had to make. Parker is stable at the moment and being airlifted to Saskatoon hospital. Thank you all for your kind words and messages. Please continue to pray for his Humboldt family.

— Rhonda Clarke Tobin (@clarketobin) April 7, 2018

Muench said the sadness never left as the night wore on, but more and more people came to the rink, which had turned into a mobile crisis centre.

“We have a very close knit community here,” Muench said.

“The hockey team here has always been a very big part of this community so we’re asking people to come on down and be with each other.”

He also described the team’s last game at the home rink as an exciting game that went into triple overtime.

“We had just about a sold out crowd,” he remembered. “Those guys were very entertaining to watch this year. It’s going to be kind of tough to go forward on this.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Daniella Ponticelli