Shared colours, shared experiences, shared passion, shared sorrow.
All were on display at Hap Parker Arena on Sunday, April 8, as a sombre group of Powell River Kings fans streamed in. The team had asked them to join in a memorial tribute at noon to Humboldt Broncos of Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 15 of whom died in a highway crash on Friday. Logos of the two teams were displayed on the new LED screen, both of which are made up of the same colours: green, gold and white.
“This hits close to home for all of us here,” said Kings marketing and promotions manager Nadine Porchetta, “Hockey is family.”
The day of the accident, Kings had ridden their bus for 16 hours, following their overtime loss to Prince George Spruce Kings in the BC Hockey League semi-final; a loss that ended their season.
People sat quietly in seats on the players’ bench side of the arena as players, coaches and personnel came out for the annual team photo.
Once that was taken, members of the Powell River Atom Development team, midget, bantam and pee wee Kings as well as Rocco, the mascot, joined in for a group photo. Everyone then stood shoulder to shoulder to form a “circle of life” at centre ice prior to a moment of silence.
Then individual photos of the Broncos players, coaches, radio announcer and statistician who died were shown on the screen as the song “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam played.
“The last 24 hours have been an emotional rollercoaster ride for all our organization,” said Kings society president Rob Villani. “This day is always special because players are together for the last time as a group, and the accident has made it even more impactful. I’m proud of the efforts made to pull this event together, and proud of our fans who answered our call to join us.”
Thinking back to Friday, Porchetta said later she recalled celebrating the Kings homecoming at Westview Elementary School, and realized she would have to say goodbye to six graduating players.
“Next moment I’m getting a text from my former billet in Saskatchewan, asking if I had heard about what happened,” she said. “When I saw the team photo, my heart stopped and I felt sick to my stomach. This team looked just like our boys, green and gold jerseys and dyed blonde hair.”
Porchetta’s own son travels on bus charters as far away as Calgary and her family hosts billets each season.
“I can’t imagine what those families, billet families and the entire community are going through. I hope they find a way to heal,” said Porchetta. “They have the love and support of an entire nation behind them.”
Porchetta said Monday donations in the amount of $6,722 will be sent to the Broncos’ organization. A photo of the combined teams with fans in the background will also be sent.
