All 16 victims of Humboldt Broncos bus crash - Action News
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Saskatchewan

All 16 victims of Humboldt Broncos bus crash

Sixteen people are dead and 13 injured after the bus taking the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team to a playoff game collided with a transport truck on a highway north of Tisdale, Sask., on Friday.

Death toll rises to 16 after team's athletic therapist dies of injuries

A team of hockey players and coaches huddle together for a photo.
The Humboldt Broncos' player range in age from 16 to 21 years. They were on a road trip that was scheduled to take just over two hours, heading to a playoff game in Nipawin, when the bus they were in and a transport truck collided Friday evening. (Humboldt Broncos/Twitter)

Sixteenpeople are dead and 13injured after the bus taking the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team to a playoff game collided with a transport truck on a highway north of Tisdale, Sask., early Friday evening.

The death toll rose to 16 after the team's athletic therapist died on Wednesday. The news of DaynaBrons's death was announced by theSaskatchewan Health Authority on behalf of her family.

Earlier in the week onMonday, the province and the RCMP released a joint statement which said that one of the players originally reported to have died, Xavier Labelle, was in fact alive. Goaltender Parker Tobin, originally reported as injured,was among those who died.

The team was on its way to Game 5 of a semifinal against the Nipawin Hawks, also in Saskatchewan, when the crash occurred around 5 p.m. CST.

'My heart is with the patients and families'

6 years ago
Duration 0:39
Dr. Mark Wahba talks about the effort to save the injured

On Monday, Saskatchewan Health Authority spokesperson Dr. Mark Wahbatold reporters that a dozen people who had been on the bus remained in hospital. With permission from patients and families, Wahba said of the 12 patients:

  • Fourwere in critical condition, which means life-threatening.
  • Four were in serious condition, which means significant injuries.
  • Four patients were in stable condition.

The deceased included not only players, who were from all three Prairie provinces, but alsothe team'slongtime coach, the assistant coach, the bus driver, andtwo employees of Humboldt's FM radio station. The driver of the truck was not injured.

Here's what we know so far about the victims:

DaynaBrons, 24

The family of Dayna Brons, the Broncos' athletic therapist, confirmed that the 25-year-old has passed away after suffering critical injuries in the team's bus crash last Friday evening. (Dayna Brons/Facebook )

The Humboldt Broncos'athletic therapist died on Wednesday after suffering serious head trauma.

Brons was the lone woman aboard the team bus. Originally from Lake Lenore, Sask., about 30 kilometres northeast ofHumboldt, she had studied at the University of Regina where she receiveda degree in kinesiologyand health studies.

Parker Tobin, 18

Parker Tobin was a goalie for the Broncos and died in the collision. (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League)
Parker Tobin was among those killed in Friday's incident. He was originally misidentified as a seriously injured member of the team, while Xavier Labelle, who was reported to have died, is alive.

Tobinwas in his first season with the Broncos after startinghis year with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Tobinspent his final year of midget eligibility playing for theDraytonValley Thunder of theAJHLand also played aseason withthe Leduc Oil Kings of the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League.

Darcy Haugan, 42

Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan, who lived in Humboldt but was from Peace River, Alta., was among those killed in the crash. He is survived by his wife Christine and their two sons. (Family photo)
The Broncos head coach and general manager was the first person confirmed dead. He lived in Humboldt but was from Peace River, Alta. One of Haugan's former players in Peace River, Bud Dyck, said the coach"never gave up on anybody. He was always there for every one of his players, always fought for every one of his players, always had their backs. ... You wanted to win for him." Hauganis survived by his wife Christine and their two sons.

Speaking at a news conference Sunday afternoon, Broncos team president Kevin Garinger, rememberedHauganas an incredible coach, husband and father."These are his words, not mine. He talked about the fact that at the Humboldt Broncos we weren't building hockey players we were creating amazing young men."

Brody Hinz, 18

Brody Hinz, a volunteer statistician for the Humboldt Broncos, was among the 15 people who died when the hockey teams bus crashed Friday. (Twitter/reidgardiner19)

Hinzcompiled statsfor the Humboldt Broncos and worked for local radio station 107.5Bolt FM.Reid Gardiner, who plays mid-level professional hockey, knew Hinz and had this to say on Twitter: "He loved sports and knew more facts about [the Broncos]than anyone I knew." His pastor in Humboldt saysHinz also taught Sunday school.

"Brody had recently joined our Golden West family, mentored by Tyler [Bieber]and the Bolt FM team," Lyndon Frieson, president of Golden West Radio, said in a statement posted on the station's website. "Tragedy has hit our community and it reaches into every corner of life in Humboldt."

Another company statement described Hinz as an intern still in high school.

Logan Schatz, 20

Broncos centre Logan Schatz, shown in undated team photo, was the captain of the Saskatchewan junior hockey team. (Canadian Press)

Schatz, a native of Allan, Sask.,had played centre for the Broncos for four years and served as team captain for the past two and a half years.His father, Kelly Schatz, told The Canadian Press his son's death is hard and that family members wereseeking solace in one another.

Schatz was named the league's player of the month in February after earning points in eight of nine games.

Jaxon Joseph, 20

Jaxon Joseph, 20, was playing on a line with team captain Schatz, and among the leading scorers in the playoffs. (Surrey Eagles/Twitter)
The Edmonton native previously played for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League. Playing forward, hewas among the leading scorers in the SJHL playoffs, and had been playingon a line with Schatz.

Joseph's former coach in B.C., Blaine Neufeld, said:"Something particular aboutJaxonwas that he had a particular smile. He lit up the room."

In a profile published on the team's website in January, Schatz paid tribute to Joseph and fellow linemate Conner Lukan.

"I've really clicked with Joseph and Lukan. I can't say enough good things about them," Schatz said.

Adam Herold, 16

Adam Herold, 16, had been playing with the Regina Pat Canadians, a Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, before joining the Broncos. (Prince Albert Raiders website)
Adam Herold, 16, of Montmatre, Sask., played with the Regina Pat Canadians midgetAAA team team before joining the Broncos.

Canadians' manager John Smith said he had the pleasure of knowing Herold for two years in his time with the team, calling him "one of the finest young men I had the pleasure of managing."

From growing up on a farm, Heroldbrought a hard work ethic to the team, and was alwaysready to practiceor help with tasks like loading the bus, Smith said.

"The world lost a fine upstanding young man."

Mark Cross, 27

Marc Cross, the team's assistant coach, was from Strasbourg, Sask. (York University)

Cross was assistant coach of the Broncos and previously played for the Estevan Bruins of the SJHL. He was also a forward on the York University Lions men's hockey team in Toronto.

"I can honestly say I didn't know a more kind-hearted, generous, caring and overall nice person," cousin Graeme Cross said in an online tribute. "Mark was one of those people that just made you feel safe and brought a special spark when you were in his presence."

Tyler Bieber, 29

Tyler Bieber, who worked with Humboldt radio station 107.5 Bolt FM, was a play-by-play announcer for the Broncos. (CBC News)

Bieberwas a play-by-play radio announcer for the Broncos, and worked with Humboldtstation 107.5 Bolt FM. A manager with the company that owns the station confirmed in an email to staff that Bieber died in the crash.

Steven Wilson, a co-worker in Weyburn, Sask., said it was Bieber's first season announcing for the team. He also covered morning news.

"He definitely had a natural talent," said Wilson. "He was just passionate about sports."

Bieber also coachedthe Humboldt high school's basketball and football teams.

Stephen Wack, 21

Stephen Wack, 21, did not survive the crash, according to his cousin. (Humboldt Broncos website)

Wack was a defenceman, whohad played for the Broncos for two seasons.

Alicia Wack, cousin of Stephen Wack, told The Canadian Press the 21-year-old did not survive the collision.

Wack's younger brother, Justin Wack, said his brother was talented at making videos. He shared one of Stephen's videos on Twitter.

Logan Hunter, 18

Logan Hunter had finished Grade 12 but was in the process of upgrading his marks and had taken his SATs in the past year. (Humboldt Broncos website)

Along with AdamHerold, Rene Cannon also billeted LoganHunter and XavierLabelle. She confirmed that she believed Hunter and Labelle, both18, wereamong those killed. Labelle, however, is still alive.

Hunter, who played for the St. Albert Raiders before coming to Humboldt, had finished Grade 12,but was in the process of upgrading his marks and had taken his SATs in the past year.

"He had this smirk about himmost of the timethat might have made you think he was a little bit cockybut he was truly this kindsoul, that lay down on the floor and spent time with our puppies," she said, recalling his ever-ready willingness to play games or mini-stick matches with her children.

Conner Lukan, 21

Conner Lukan was one of seven players on the Humboldt team who was from Alberta. (SASWP)

Lukan, a Broncos forward,was from Slave Lake, Alta. He joined the Broncos this season, after playing with the Spruce Grove Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Kevin Garinger,team president of the Broncos, billeted Lukan.He remembered him Sundaymorning during an interview with the CBC's Wendy Mesley.

Glen Doerksen

Glen Doerksen was driving the bus that collided with a transport truck on a highway north of Tisdale, Sask., on Friday, April 6. (SASWP)

Doerksen was the driver of the bus. He worked for Charlie's Chartersbasedin Tisdale, Sask.

Cameron Doerksontold CBC News his father was "a great family man."

"He loved us kids, he loved this community He kept our family always happy and he loved what he did. It wasn't work for him. Heloved driving all those boys, all those teams,and he did it with a smile on his face."

Those who paid tribute to him on Facebook said he had a passion for hockey. Trevis Sturby, a manager with the North EastMidge AA hockey club, called him a "great bus driver" who got players homesafely on previous trips under bad road conditions.

The Kinistino Tigers, another hockey team that Doerksendrove to and from playoff games, posted a tribute on Twitter.

"In talking to him, he spoke at length of his time in rinks with his own family and now how much he enjoyed being able to take and watch other teams from minor, to senior to SJHL to their hockey games.

"We will never forget the smile on your face as we left Allan [Sask.] after winning the Championship and got you to give 'two honks for the Cup.' Tonight Glen, we give two honks for you. Rest easy sir."

Evan Thomas, 18

Evan Thomas, 18, was among the Humboldt Broncos crash victims. He was from Saskatoon. (Humboldt Broncos website)

Thomasplayed right wing and was from Saskatoon.

His father, Scott Thomas,said Evan was the "kind of kid any dad would be proud to call his" own."He was a self-driven, motivated, retrospective, quiet, confident and very self-assured young man."

It was the 18-year-old's first season as a forward with the Broncos. His dad saidhe was an athlete, playing both hockey and baseball, as well as astrong student.

Taryn Warford, whose parents billettedThomas, saidon Instagram:"It was an honour to have you be a part of our family this hockey season, Evan. You will forever be in our hearts."

Jacob Leicht, 19

Left-winger Jacob Leicht, 19, was among the team members who perished in the crash. He was from Humboldt. (Twitter)

Left-winger Leicht, a Humboldt native,was also among the deceased, Rev. Joseph Salihu of St. Augustine Catholic Church, told CBC News.

Leichtfirst played for the Broncos organization as a bantam AA player in 2013.

He went St. Dominic School for elementary and Humboldt Collegiate Institute for high school.

Logan Boulet, 21

Logan Boulet, 21, was among the 16 that died in the Humboldt Broncos' bus crash. His decision to donate his organs led to a wave of people signing up to become organ donors, across the country. (Saskatchewan Junior hockey league)

The Lethbridge, Alta., player was on life support so his organs could be donated.

Boulet was described as a "caring, humble and genuine man who would do anything for anyone before himself."

His organs were expected tosave at least six lives.

Corrections

  • Xavier Labelle, one of the players reported to have died, was misidentified by the office of the Chief Coroner and is in fact still alive. Parker Tobin is among those dead, not Labelle.
    Apr 09, 2018 7:47 AM CT
  • A previous version of this story stated that Dayna Brons was 25 years old. In fact, she was 24.
    Apr 11, 2018 5:54 PM CT

With files from The Canadian Press