The Humboldt Broncos junior ice hockey team (SJHL) from Saskatchewan, Canada hit the ice last night in the season opener against the Nipawin Hawks, just six months after the terrible bus crash that took 16 members of the team.

On April 6, 2018, the Broncos headed to the Nipawin to play the Game 5 of the SJHL semi-finals against the Nipawin Hawks. En route to the Nipawin the team's bus collided with a truck on Highway 35. 16 members of the team died (including 10 players, two coaches, a broadcaster, a statistician, an athletic therapist and the bus driver) and the rest of the players (13) were seriously injured. The game was cancelled.

Last night the Humboldt Broncos played their first game since the bus crash to open the 2018-19 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season. Of course, the season opener was played against the Nipawin Hawks. 

The 16 sticks were placed outside the arena to honour the victims of the bus crash by the #SticksOutForHumboldt tradition.

There are many new faces on the Broncos' bench, but two players from the last year's roster recovered after injuries and returned to the lineup - forwards Derek Patter and Brayden Camrud.

It was a special night for the Humboldt and for the whole of Canada. In the second period, the Broncos scored a beautiful opening goal of the season, but the final score was 1-2 the Nipawin Hawks won.

In the second period, the Broncos scored a beautiful opening goal of the season, but the final score was 1-2 the Nipawin Hawks won.

People from all over North America, including the NHL teams and players, were sending their support to Humboldt Broncos.

#HumboldtStrong