Broncos Honoured At Vigil In Weyburn

At 7:00 p.m. across Saskatchewan, and much of the country, a moment of silence was observed, as communities held vigils to honour the 15 who were killed in the tragic accident involving the team bus of the Humboldt Broncos Friday evening, as well as the fourteen who are still recovering from their injuries.

Here in Weyburn, a service was held at Crescent Point Place. Hockey fans, members of the Weyburn Red Wings, members of the board of the Red Wings, and many more filed into the building, signing the book of condolence, before sitting in the arena.

After the moment of silence, 16 candles were lit along the boards of the visitor's bench at Crescent Point Place. There was a candle for each of those who passed away in the accident, along with a candle to commemorate the survivors, as well as the first responders.

The vigil started with a prayer from James Brackpool, as well as words from Mayor Marcel Roy, former Red Wings president Larry Tribiger, former Red Wings play by play announcer Steven Wilson and former Red Wings player Marc Schneider. Chaplain for the Weyburn Police Service and Fire Department, Tim McKinnon, also spoke.

“It affects all of us in Saskatchewan, as it has all throughout the world,” said Roy after the service in the arena. “Really, we are a small province. We’re only a little over a million population, so we’re one big community.”

After the service in the arena itself, people gathered to comfort each other, as for many, they continued to struggle with the scope of the tragedy.

In Humboldt, the Elgar Peterson Arena filled to capacity quickly, and the overflow crowd was hosted in the curling rink.  Additional video feeds of the service were sent to nearby schools where others gathered to remember.

The services in Humboldt were attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Scott Moe, Humboldt's Elgar Peterson, whom the arena is named after, and many other national dignitaries including Hockey Night in Canada's Don Cherry.