In the wake of the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy and the death of former Prince George Cougars captain Brock Hirsche, the heart of the hockey world is aching.
With that in mind, the Prince George Cougars set up two banners Tuesday and Wednesday at CN Centre for people to sign - one for the Broncos and one for Hirsche's family in Lethbridge - and today at 6 p.m. are asking people to continue to show their support by organizing a group photo to be shot on the ice at CN Centre.
The photo will be sent to the town of Humboldt, Sask., where the Broncos made their home.
Their team bus was broadsided by a semitrailer truck Friday afternoon while they were traveling to Nipawin to play a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League semifinal playoff game.
Sixteen people, including 12 players, died as a result of the accident. Dayna Brons, 24, the team's athletic therapist, died Wednesday afternoon in a Saskatoon hospital from injuries sustained in the accident.
The Cougars will also send the photo to Hirsche's family. Hirsche, a former Cougars captain who played for the Cats from 2009-13, died last weekend of testicular cancer at age 26.
"This is a time where hockey transcends the game itself," said Andy Beesley, the Cougars vice-president of business. "This is about one community showing support to another that is hurting, and to family members who we can all empathize and sympathize with. For the many thousands of people that love hockey, this has been an extremely difficult time and we want to provide an opportunity for Prince George to come together in these trying circumstances."
Today has been declared national jersey day and people are being asked to show up for work or school wearing their favourite jersey as a show of support for the Broncos.
The SJHL decided Wednesday it will go ahead with its league championship series this weekend and that series will start Saturday in Nipawin the home of the Hawks. At the time of the accident the Hawks were leading the Broncos 3-1 in the best-of-seven semifinal series. They will play the Estevan Bruins for the title.
