Most times a hockey game is a boisterous event, but the start of Sunday night’s Kingston-Frontenac’s game was a more sombre affair.
A moment of silence was held to pay respect to and remember the Humboldt Broncos hockey players and staff killed this past Friday.
Many of the players on the OHL Kingston team are the same age as the Humboldt Broncos players.
Head coach Jay Varady says he and the team were on their own bus Friday returning to Kingston when they heard the news.
“It all hits home, we do sit on the bus for many hours to games, after games, off hours you know where we start our trips at 10 o’clock at night.”
The team also put out a book of condolences for people to sign at Sunday night’s game.
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The pages will also be out for residents and fans to sign at Tuesday’s upcoming game.
The Frontenac’s head of business operations says the loose sheets will be bound in leather and sent to the grieving Saskatchewan town.
“We’re going to let it go as long as people want to sign it, we’re going to reach out and ask some people around town to make sure that they’re included in it and I just think it’s something very poignant and important.”
A movement has started across the country with people putting hockey sticks outside their front doors and leaving the porch light on.
Kingston resident Chris Wyman did that and says he needed something to be able to show his support for the team and people of Humboldt.
“Just put it there as a small little tribute in honour of the Broncos team members that have passed away and their families, you know it’s a sad thing, especially when it’s kids.”
Schools have been tweeting condolences as well, and the Limestone District School Board will be flying flags at half-staff and inviting students to wear hockey jerseys on Thursday.
The school boards mental health lead Laura Conboy says for parents struggling to explain this tragedy to their children, let the children lead the conversation.
“This is something that’s okay to talk about as long as you’re creating a space where kids can feel safe and you’re able to have those discussions and you’re able to be open and honest about what’s happened.”
Sunday night’s 50/50 draw at the Frontenacs game also raised almost $12,000 that will be donated to support the families of the Humboldt hockey team tragedy.
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