NHLers react to Humboldt Broncos’ return to the ice after bus tragedy
Like the rest of the hockey world, Mike Babcock was shaken by April’s bus crash that devastated the Humboldt Broncos.
The head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs hopes the junior hockey team’s return to the ice Wednesday night will serve as another step in the healing process.
The Broncos were travelling to a Junior A playoff game against the Nipawin Hawks when their bus carrying 29 people collided with a truck — killing 16, including 10 players, and injuring 13 more.
The team, which lost head coach Darcy Haugan in the crash, vowed to rebuild. Two players that survived suited up Wednesday in the Broncos’ first game since the accident, which was televised nationally on TSN, while eight others no longer with the club were also on hand.