'This world needs more people like Mark': Humboldt Broncos assistant coach remembered at funeral

While he was remembered as a ferocious hockey player, Mark Cross was also the "ultimate teammate" with a personality that drew people in, friends recalled at a Saturday funeral for the assistant coach for the Humboldt Broncos.

"He had such a spice for life; it was kind of infectious," recalled friend Chad Hohmann. "He was just a person that everyone got along with... you always had fun with Mark."

Hohmann said he wasn't surprised to see the outpouring of love and support for his former York University hockey teammate, or that so many people came from across the country for Cross' funeral in his hometown of Strasbourg, Sask. ForHohmann, it's a testament to the character of his friend.

"He was just an amazing person, who touched so many lives. Wherever he went, he made an impact if you knew Mark for a day or years, it was the same. You just fell in love with him right away."

Cross, who was 27, was one of 16 people who died as a result of the April 6 collision betweenthe Humboldt Broncosteam's bus and a semi-truck.

Making an impact

Cross played as a forward on the York Lions men's hockey team from 2011 until 2016 when he graduated with a degree inkinesiologyand health science.

"Mark was an exceptional young man, an assistant captain during his time at York and the teamMVPin his fifth and final season," said RussHerrington, who was one of Cross's assistant coaches. "He was a ferocious competitor who had a vibrant approach to life.

"There was no one in the room who commanded more respect than Mark."

He returned to Saskatchewan after university, with his longtime girlfriend MollySchnell, and worked for a season as an assistantcoach with a midget team near Regina, before joining the Broncos for the 2017-18 season.

On the day of his funeral, Cross's father recalled his son's humility, saying that Cross won the MVP award while away at school in Toronto, but never even mentioned it to his family until two weeks later.

That anecdotedidn't surprise Cross' friend, Christopher Neurauter.

"He was a team-first player," saidNeurauter, who played with Cross in their days as teenagers with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League."He was the heart and soul of our team in Estevan."

Like other players, Neurauterfound himself drawn toCross, whom he describedas the "ultimate teammate" for his leadership, his personality, hockey skills and work ethic.

"I looked up to Mark a lot, not only as a hockey player but as a person," he said.

Coming to the funeral gave him the chance to tell Cross's parents again what an amazing job they did of raising amanwho made an impact among so manythroughouthis young life, said Neurauter.

"This world needs more people like Mark."