A former assistant captain for the York University Lions hockey team is one of the 15 members of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team who died in a tragic bus accident in Saskatchewan Friday night.
A semi-truck collided with the Bronco’s team bus as it was on its way to play a game against the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
The York Lions released a statement Sunday morning saying the team is “saddened” by the news that 27-year-old Mark Cross, who was an assistant coach with the Broncos, was one of the victims of the crash.
READ MORE: Here are the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash
Executive director of York Athletics & Recreation Jennifer Myers told Global News she was in “utter disbelief” when she got the text message about the crash and subsequently about Cross’ passing.
“You spend four to five years with these student athletes and they come to you young and really eager to make their mark and you watch them grow and evolve into these amazing people,” Myers said. “And Mark, from day one when he came to this program, really stood out as a leader and has been talked about as being one of the most genuine people you may know.”
Myers said she remembers Cross most for his “amazing smile and leadership.”
-
![]()
NHL clubs pay tribute to Humboldt Broncos with special pre-game ceremonies -
![]()
Former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy headed to Saskatchewan in wake of Humboldt Broncos bus crash -
![]()
Hockey community feels pain of Humboldt Broncos tragedy -
![]()
Former Vancouver Canucks player Derek Dorsett reacts to Humboldt Broncos bus crash -
![]()
Calgary Flames react to Humboldt Broncos fatal bus crash in Saskatchewan -
![]()
Former Humboldt Broncos player remembers friends, coach killed in bus crash in Saskatchewan -
![]()
Edmonton Oilers react to tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash -
![]()
Connor McDavid reacts to tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash, discusses life on the bus -
![]()
Vancouver Canucks talk about fatal Humboldt Broncos crash, life on team bus -
![]()
Maple Leafs with Saskatchewan roots react to Humboldt Broncos fatal bus crash
“He was one of those individuals that could stand up in a room and command the attention of all of the players. Somebody that was a real leader on the team by everything that he did.”
Myers knew that Cross would leave a mark when he graduated. She was certain he would “make a difference.”
Get breaking National news
“When we found out he was coaching the Humboldt organization, we thought ‘this is perfect.’ He was a Saskatchewan native and loved where he was from and loved giving back and knew what it was like to be a part of that community with those players that travelled all the time and spent countless hours on the road.”
“He knew what it meant to be a part of that organization.”
Lions’ head coach Russ Herrington, who was an assistant coach in Cross’ final year with the team, described him as a “fierce competitor who had a vibrant approach to life.”
The team said Cross graduated with a degree in kinesiology and health science in 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,” Herrington said. “There was no one in the room that commanded more respect than Mark. To say we were proud that he was giving back by being a coach would be an understatement.”
Cross also previously played for the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins in Estevan, Sask., winning the team’s Bill Shinske Ethics Award on two occasions, according to David Willberg, editor of the Estevan Mercury newspaper.
Myers said the bus crash is the “worst kind of nightmare.”
“Teams travelling all the time up and down the highways and in the back roads, you hope you never get this phone call and I can’t imagine what the people in the organization, the parents and the town and everyone who is connected to this felt like when they got that phone call.”
“You just don’t know what to do with it.”
-
![]()
Memorial for Humboldt Broncos players after fatal bus crash continues to grow at arena -
![]()
Fans’ impromptu cheer for Humboldt Broncos at Saskatchewan Rush game -
![]()
Former Swift Current Bronco Bob Wilkie, who was involved in ’86 crash, en route to Humboldt -
![]()
Peter Soberlak arrives in Saskatchewan to visit Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivors -
![]()
Sheldon Kennedy hopes to ‘bring some hope’ by visiting Humboldt Broncos players after bus crash -
![]()
Humboldt Broncos tragedy “hits home” with junior hockey players across Canada: OJHL commissioner -
![]()
Ontario Junior Hockey League holds minute of silence for Humboldt Broncos after fatal crash -
![]()
‘O Canada’ sung before Nashville Predators game in tribute to Humboldt Broncos -
![]()
‘Our hearts are heavy’: Lethbridge Hurricanes talk about Humboldt Broncos bus crash -
![]()
SJHL sets up fund to assist league through Humboldt bus tragedy -
![]()
Lethbridge Hurricanes, Brandon Wheat Kings hold moment of silence for Humboldt Broncos -
![]()
Friends mourn the victims in the Humboldt bus crash -
![]()
Humboldt Broncos player Logan Boulet on life support, will donate organs -
![]()
Vigil planned to honour Humboldt Broncos after crash as more details about victims surface -
![]()
Hockey community feels pain of Humboldt Broncos tragedy -
![]()
Former Humboldt Broncos player discusses how hockey community is coping
The RCMP said the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The crash killed 15 people, and sent another 14 to hospital.
The victims include Broncos captain Logan Schatz along with nine other players, coach Darcy Haugun, the team’s statistician and radio play-by-play announcer and the driver of the bus.
WATCH: Aerial video shows destruction at scene of Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
A GoFundMe page set up for family members of the team had raised more than $3.5 million by Sunday afternoon.
The university will be putting out Cross’ hockey jersey, as well as a book of condolences that people can sign on Monday.
Myers said both will be passed along to Cross’ family and longtime girlfriend Molly.
“I just need everyone to know, especially Mark’s family and Molly, how deeply sorry we are and how sad we are for them. We feel for them and we’re mourning with them.”
— With files from Rebecca Joseph
Comments