By Scott Roblin

Humboldt Broncos charity game a special outing for local players

Apr 23, 2018 | 6:11 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – More than two weeks have passed since the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, but the healing is just beginning for many Canadians.

Locals wanting to help in that healing process were at the Family Leisure Centre on Saturday, taking part in a hockey game to assist the grieving organization.

Organizer Nick Kush was plagued with the question of how he would be able to help the Broncos organization the day after the crash.

Joining up with a few of his fellow organizers, Kush helped establish a charity hockey game that drew out 1,000 people and helped to raise funds for injured Broncos and their families.

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“We were expecting a small, little turnout and we couldn’t imagine how much support that Medicine Hat would give the community of Humboldt,” said Kush. “It’s absolutely incredible.”

Close to 40 players suited up for the game including netminder Brendan Newton.

A Medicine Hat native, Newton spent the last three years in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playing for the Flin Flon Bombers.

Travelling the same highways as the Broncos, Newton was former roommates with Nick Shumlanski, one of the few Broncos to escape the crash without serious injury.

“Lucky for me, lucky for him, he was okay,” said Newton. “But, that’s definitely why I wanted to be a part of this.”

Newton wasn’t the only player with Humboldt connections on the ice Saturday, as former Bronco Adam Antkowiak captained Team Black.

The lone player without a Tigers logo on his chest, Antkowiak honoured his former team by wearing his Broncos sweater.

Newton said watching him take the opening face-off following a moment of silence was as powerful as it gets.

“That was definitely a special thing there, to see him wearing the Humboldt alumni jersey he had on there and watching him take the face-off.”

The tragedy still hits home for Antkowiak, who respectfully declined CHAT Sports’ request for an interview.

In all, the game raised $18,000 for the Broncos organization, with Kush and other organizers hand delivering the cheque to the team.

“We’re going to drive to Humboldt itself,” he said. “We’re going to give them the money and say, ‘Hey, you know what? Whatever you feel is necessary with this money, wherever you want this to go, that is your decision.’”

The crash had a major impact on Medicine Hat Tiger Jaeger White as well, but he said the sport is helping to heal even the deepest wounds.

“It’s pretty amazing to see what the power of hockey can do, and everyone coming together and supporting everyone, guys like Connor McDavid going to Humboldt,” said White. “It’s really incredible just how much everyone is supporting each other.”

Newton echoed the same feelings, knowing how powerful getting on the ice with his friends can be.

“It just brings people together, it brings people together and that’s the most important thing that we can do right now in a time like this.”