Humboldt Broncos coach focused on advancing players five years after tragedy

It’s been more than five years since the Humboldt Broncos bus crash killed 16 people and injured 13 others.

The crash left the community and province in mourning but, despite all of the sadness and media attention after crash, the team has remained successful both on the ice and off.

Scott Barney took over as the head coach of the Broncos in the 2018-19 season, and has amassed a record of 132-56-1-10 in the five seasons since he took over command behind the bench.

As of Friday, the Broncos had the second-best record in the SJHL at 13-2-2-1, trailing only the Flin Flon Bombers.

Taking over the Broncos was a big task for the coach, given all of the healing that was needed and the national media attention on the team. Barney described what it’s been like to help a team rebound after the tragedy.

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“It’s been a great experience. Humboldt is a great community and we have tremendous support with not only our fans, but fans throughout the world. The more players we can move on to the next level, that gets us the next ones,” he explained.

“We’re big about culture in the dressing room, and our young guys from the years before are teaching the newer guys who come in. It keeps that culture going. Our goal is always to win and play that last game of the season.”

Barney said that over the last five years he’s been trying to build and implement a culture that can endure for a long time.

While the Broncos have had good results on the ice, off the ice they’ve sent players to some of the top hockey schools in the United States so they can pursue their careers and post-secondary education.

In the 2022-23 season, the Broncos had nine players commit to play division-one hockey in the United States or U Sports upon graduating from the club.

Since Barney has taken over, the Broncos have seen more than 30 players commit to high-level hockey colleges and universities.

Barney said making sure players can continue their hockey careers after their time in Junior A is something he takes pride in.

“Our first priority is moving players on, and winning comes second,” Barney stated. “Last year, we had five division-ones and four into U Sports. That’s a pretty big season in the SJHL, and I think it’s important to move those guys on to the next level.”

The player development success has led to Barney getting more opportunities as a head coach as well.

He signed a five-year extension with the club this past summer, and will be the head coach for Team Canada West at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge in Truro, N.S. next month.

When 650 CKOM caught up with Barney, he was coaching at the 2023 SJHL Showcase in Warman.

This season, he already has two players committed to playing in division-one colleges in the United States, and he said he hopes the showcase was another opportunity to show off his players to more than 50 scouts from across North America.

“I think it’s really important for our players. You get our guys some more recognition and seen by different schools. I think it’s a great opportunity,” he said.

At the SJHL Showcase this week, the Broncos finished with a 1-1 record, defeating La Ronge 7-0 and losing 5-4 to Melville.