Allan rink renamed in memory of former Humboldt Broncos captain

It wasn’t too long ago when Logan Schatz was remembered in his hometown of Allan, Sask. for scoring game-tying and game-winning goals as a youngster for the Allan Jr. Flames.

The town has ensured those memories will be everlasting after renaming the skating rink inside the Allan and District Communiplex as the Logan Schatz Memorial Arena on Saturday.

“This is where he started playing and this is where he ends playing,” Logan’s father Kelly Schatz said after a dedication ceremony in the rink’s lobby.

“The town has been so great to us as far as helping us with the funeral and support. It’s just kind of fitting — it really is.”

Schatz was the Humboldt Broncos’ captain when the team’s bus collided with a semi en route to a playoff game on April 6, 2018.

Soon after, Mayor Les Alm got to work, rallying his community around the Schatz family.

“The day after the crash, I went over to Bonnie and Kelly’s to pay my respects and I said that — eventually — we needed, as a community, to do something to support the Schatz family.”

The entrance to the Logan Schatz Memorial Arena in Allan, Sask. (Keenan Sorokan/650 CKOM)

Kelly couldn’t think of a better way to honour his son after watching him perfect his craft over countless hours at the rink.

“When he was little, I was actually the caretaker of the rink,” Kelly said. “I had keys and — even if it wasn’t open — I’d be able to get him in here and let him skate.”

“He spent hours out there. You’d have to drag him off the ice.”

Even in those moments when he was watching his five-year-old son zip up and down the ice, Kelly knew there was a potential to play a competitive level of hockey.

“If you’re a good skater, you can usually play a pretty good level of hockey,” he said. “I remember telling my oldest boy: ‘You know, he’s pretty good. He’s going to do well.'”

As far as favourite memories at the rink, Kelly remembers all the strategies they specifically had for Schatz as he was usually one of the better players on his teams in Allan.

Kelly and Bonnie said they will take comfort knowing that their son’s memory will live on for years to come.

“You often wonder: ‘Is he going to stay remembered?'” Kelly rhetorically asked. “Now, you know he will be somewhat … it’s there forever.”

Part of Saturday’s grand unveiling was the logos on the outside and inside of the arena.

Brian Hinz was Schatz’ industrial arts teacher at Humboldt Collegiate Institute.

He hand crafted the signs with a little help from the Schatz family.

“(Hinz) requested two of Logan’s sticks for the sign,” Bonnie said. “I was reluctant to hand over any of Logan’s sticks, but now that I’m seeing the sign it’s beautiful and I’m glad I did.”