The night was dedicated to the Humboldt Broncos.
In the spirit of solidarity and support for the grieving Humboldt community, Barrhead Minor Hockey Association members, family and friends shared a moment of silence during their awards night ceremony April 11, held at Barrhead Composite High School and BMHA representative Collette Weeks read a tribute to the fallen players.
“All the players, coaches and board members wore a green ribbon in honour of the Humboldt Broncos and we had a tribute from our board to them that we wanted to share,” Weeks said, adding the entire hockey community is heartbroken for Humboldt.
Referring to a tweet by Canadian broadcaster and political commentator Charles Adler, Weeks said the heart of a town beats loudest at the rink.
“It beats loudest because hockey is not about a small chunk of black rubber and a white mesh net. It isn’t about the scoreboard, the standings or the stats. It is about the people — the players, the coaches, the parents and volunteers, your hockey family. It is about hard work, life lessons, working together, positive relationships and giving back to your community.
It is about being a part of something that is bigger than us. Our experiences are interwoven with others across our great country in this shared tapestry that we call hockey.”
It is because of those shared experiences that the Humboldt Broncos tragedy has ripped a tear in the heart of the hockey community around the world, Weeks said, acknowledging that BMHA has donated to the Broncos GoFundMe campaign and added that it was done in memory of Parker Tobin.
“Ed Tobin has taught at BCHS for a number of years and wears a few different hats. Some of you know him as your child’s math teacher or badminton coach. Those of us who work with Ed know that, to him, the most important hat he wears is that of husband and father. We grieve with him and his family over the unfathomable loss of their son Parker, who played net for Humboldt.
Tonight, I ask you all, in remembrance of the 16 beautiful lives taken so soon, for a few things — to keep cheering loud and proud for all of our BMHA sons and daughters, to be grateful for that smelly equipment and moms, yes, even for the gloves. Embrace your hockey family, put aside your differences and don’t leave anybody behind. Keep playing hard, not only for yourselves but for Humboldt as well.”
