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More victims of Humboldt Crash identified

Apr 8, 2018 | 5:05 PM

PANOW—Friday’s fatal bus collision involving the Humboldt Broncos has rocked both the hockey community and nation as a whole.

The crash occurred at around 5 p.m. on Highway 35, approximately 30 kilometres north of Tisdale near the junction of Highway 335. The team was on their way to a playoff game in Nipawin against the Hawks.

Waves of support have followed as details emerge about the 15 players and staff members killed in the collision with a semi-truck, which also left 14 injured. The number of victims grew to 15 yesterday when one of the injured passed away, and the identities of all the deceased have now been confirmed.

Adam Herold

Sixteen-year-old Adam Herold was the youngest player on the roster. He spent time playing with the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians, where he wore the C, before he was called up to play a few games with the Prince Albert Raiders. He was drafted 35th overall by the Raiders in the WHL’s 2016 bantam draft.

Jacob Leicht

Jacob Leicht was a left-winger for his hometown Broncos. He played for the Prince Albert Mintos last season.

“My heart is broken. Your laughter was so contagious and you had a smile that lit up any room,” Cassidy Tolley wrote online in a post about Leicht. “You weren’t just family, you were genuinely one of my favourite people and someone I could always count on at all hours of the day and night.”

Darcy Haugan

Darcy Haugan was the head coach of the Broncos. He was described online as a “great man” and amazing mentor to young players.

He played junior hockey in the league in the 1990s before becoming a coach.

Tyler Bieber

Tyler Bieber was the play-by-play announcer for Humboldt’s CHBO 107.5 Bolt FM. Steven Wilson, a co-worker in Weyburn, Sask., said it was Bieber’s first season announcing for the team. He also covered morning news.

Logan Schatz

Kelly Schatz, Logan’s father, told The Canadian Press his son played for the Broncos for just over four years and was the captain for two and a half.  

“It’s hard,” Schatz said. “I’ve got four other kids and they’re here, which is nice.”

Jaxon Joseph

The Edmonton native’s death was confirmed by the Surrey Eagles, his former team in the British Columbia Hockey League. The 20-year-old was among the leading scorers in the SJHL playoffs.

Evan Thomas

The death of Saskatoon-born Evan Thomas, who played right wing for the Broncos, was confirmed by the Saskatoon Blazers, a team Thomas previously played with.

“The Blazer organization is devastated at the significant loss and devastation which occurred last evening,” the team wrote in a social media post. “Please keep the Thomas family in your thoughts and prayers today.”

Stephen Wack

The death of Stephen Wack, a 21-year-old defenseman from St. Albert, was confirmed by his cousin Alicia Wack.

“Stephen has always been an amazing person, son, big brother, and cousin,” Alicia Wack wrote in a Facebook post. “He is one of the most adventurous, ambitious, and loving people that I have ever been blessed to know.”

In a Twitter post, Justin Wack said his younger brother Stephen, who played two seasons with the Broncos and previously suited up for the Camrose Kodiaks and Whitecourt Wolverines, was also a talented videographer who loved making and sharing short films.

Brody Hinz

Eighteen-year-old Brody Hinz, the Broncos’ statistics keeper, also perished in the crash. Hinz was being mentored by another victim of the crash, Tyler Bieber, who was the Broncos’ play-by-play announcer.

“Brody had recently joined our Golden West family, mentored by Tyler and the Bolt FM team,” Lyndon Frieson, president of Golden West Radio, said in an online statement. “Tragedy has hit our community and it reaches into every corner of life in Humboldt.”

Glen Doerksen

Charlie’s Charters, the company that operated the bus involved in the crash, remembered bus driver Glen Doerksen as a dedicated family man who loved hockey as much as the players did.

“Glen was an outstanding friend, husband and father,” the company said on social media. “He will truly be missed.”

The Kinistino Tigers, of the Wheatland Hockey League, also shared memories of Doerksen in an online post.

“Our trips to Foam Lake and Allan were on horrible highways due to winter storms,” the Tigers wrote. “We got on that bus and trusted him with our lives and both times he got us home safely … our hearts are broken.”

Parker Tobin

Eighteen-year-old Parker Tobin, played goalie for the Drayton Valley Thunder during the 2016-17 season before being traded and playing for the Humboldt Broncos this season.

Logan Boulet

Lethbridge-born defenseman Logan Boulet celebrated his 21st birthday a little more than a month before the tragic crash. In a Twitter post, Lethbridge West MLA Shannon Phillips shared her condolences.

“I am deeply saddened by his family’s loss,” Phillips wrote. “The entire province of Alberta stands with you at this terrible time.” He was on life support Saturday night and had just signed a donor card on his birthday. His organs will go to six people. His dad told Global News “even in his passing, he would be a hero.”

Logan Hunter

Logan Hunter, an 18-year-old from St. Albert, began his Junior A career with the Humboldt Broncos in March of 2017. Prior to that, he played for the St. Albert Raiders in Midget AAA. He was remembered as a great hockey player and a smart kid with a great sense of humour.

Kevin Porter, the president of St. Albert Raiders hockey club, said Hunter “always had a smile on his face.”

Four Broncos players are Raiders’ alumni, according to the club’s Facebook page.

Conner Lukan

Conner Lukan, 21, joined the Broncos this season. Originally from Slave Lake, Lukan previously played with the Spruce Grove Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Saints General Manager Rob Sklaruk shared his sympathies in an official statement.

“The loss is devastating, and our team is in shock as we come to terms with this tragic accident,” Sklaruk said. “Hockey is a tight-knit community, and this has affected everyone deeply.”

Lukan was one of seven Albertans on the team.

Mark Cross

Mark Cross, an assistant coach with the Humboldt Broncos, was also killed in the crash. The 27-year-old from Strasbourg had a degree in kinesiology and health science from York University, where he also spent five seasons playing hockey with the Lions from 2011 to 2016.

“Mark was an exceptional young man, an assistant captain during his time at York and the team MVP in his fifth and final season in 2015-16,” Lions head coach Russ Herrington said in a written statement. “He was a ferocious competitor who had a vibrant approach to life.”

 

–With files from The Canadian Press, CKOM

**An earlier version of this story listed Xavier Labelle as one of the deceased, RCMP say the Coroners office made a mistake in that identification. Labelle is alive and remains in hosipital. 18 year old Parker Tobin is deceased.