Neck guard sales jump after Sask. hockey player slashed by skate
14h ago
More adult players are now investing in the protective equipment.
In the wake of an unthinkable tragedy Friday, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is setting up an assistance program to help its entire hockey family heal.
Fifteen members of the Humboldt Broncos were killed in a crash between a semi and the team bus on the way to a playoff game in Nipawin Friday night.
The entire country has been in mourning and the internet has been flooded with tributes from around the world.
People are trying to find out ways they can help those personally affected by the tragedy with many donating to a Go Fund Me campaign that has now raised over $5 million.
In order to ensure resources are available whenever they might be needed, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League announced the creation of an assistance program on Monday.
“The Humboldt Broncos tragedy has shown that the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League players, coaches, volunteers, trainers are more than a league, they’re family,” said Bill Chow, President of the SJHL.
Chow said the program will raise funds to help anyone involved in the league and their families.
Local Co-op stores have helped get the assistance program off the ground, donating $135,000 dollars.
The Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) matched the donations for a total of $270,000. FCL will continue to match donations up to $500,000.
FCL CEO Steve Banda encouraged people and other business to continue to donate to the assistance program to support players and their families in the coming months and years.
Chow said the plan is for the program to be around for a long time because everyone takes a different amount of time to grieve.
“We don’t know when that healing process or when that grieving process is going to happen to somebody but that’s what we’re trying to make sure whoever it happens to, whenever it happens to that we can somehow help them and take care of them through that process.”
Chow also mentioned that Regina-based 22-Fresh will be trying to help keep up with the large public demand for Broncos apparel.