On the way to Nipawin, Saskatchewan for games versus the Hawks, the Steinbach Pistons made a stop at the site of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash that claimed the lives of 16 people and rocked the entire hockey world.
There was a heavy feeling as the bus approached the intersection where the accident occurred. As one Pistons player was getting ready to get off the bus, he remarked, "they were so close."
Forward Daniel McKitrick missed a game in the MJHL Finals to be with his former Humboldt Broncos teammates. McKitrick played 80 games for the Broncos over the span of two seasons. He understood how powerful a moment it was for not only himself but to have his new teammates by his side.
"It was awesome to have the team right there during that time," McKitrick said from the Nipawin arena. "It's nice to have a little bit of closure too, after seeing old teammates and how nice it is with that over there (the memorial at the crash site). It's really good all the boys were there."
The outpouring of support is still something McKitrick can barely put into words. "For everybody in Humboldt, my billets and everyone, they've said the support has been awesome. My buddy Brayden Camrud was honoured at the Penguins game last night, he got a big shoutout. The outpouring of support has been just awesome."
McKitrick scored in game 3 against the Virden Oil Capitals after being away from the team for almost a week. It was a huge moment for McKitrick. Another huge moment came in game 3 versus the Nipawin Hawks, an arena that has given McKitrick fits in past years, but to score a goal in Saskatchewan, meant the world to the 20-year-old from Coral Harbour, NU.
"With the one game (against Virden), I didn't know what to expect after not being on the ice for almost a week, but it was awesome to help the team win each day and see how far we can take this thing."
Steinbach teammates Bradley Schoonbaert and Declan Graham also commented on seeing the site in person and not just on television or in photos.
"Coming in and seeing the Humbolt crash site was... it was really something," Schoonbaert said after arriving in Nipawin. "It was nice to see it and it was definitely a tough stop."
Graham echoed Schoonbaerts thoughts. "I think hockey is one big family and you feel connected to individuals to those in the Humboldt crash. Even if you weren't personally connected, you feel for everyone involved. It was heartbreaking to see but touching at the same time, to see the memorial that was set up by people."
In a season of unforgettable moments, the time spent there in silence, as brothers in arms, may be at the top of the list.
Thu, May 2, 5:30 PM
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