Darrell Davis: Broncos new boss won’t forget old boss

Nathan Oystrick may be taking the best and hardest job in junior hockey.

A Regina native, Oystrick is the new head coach and general manager of the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos.

The Broncos were in a bus crash that involved 29 members of the team and killed Oystrick’s predecessor, Darcy Haugan. In his introductory media conference, Oystrick said he had never met Haugan, but wished he had and that he would never forget the circumstances that took him to Humboldt.

Oystrick also said he would retain the covenant Haugen had on the team’s dressing room wall, which spoke about the privilege and responsibilities of being a Bronco.

Anyone who has seen the Broncos, led by president Kevin Garinger, and the community of Humboldt in the past three months realizes what a special community and organization Oystrick is joining. From people who met Oystrick when he was junior, university and NHL player and when he coached amateurs and professionally, he’s perfectly suited for a position that will progress through lots of emotional moments, a few setbacks and lots of forward steps.