Watch now:

Try NBA League Pass for free: Follow action around the league here

Jets, Blackhawks pay tasteful tribute to Humboldt Broncos

Justin Cuthbert


National Hockey League rinks are spending the final Saturday of the regular season honouring the Humboldt Broncos, and paying respect to the victims and families affected by the horrific crash that claimed 15 lives Friday evening in northeastern Saskatchewan.

It was a particularly special scene in Winnipeg. The Jets and Blackhawks stood alternately at the centre-ice circle for a moment of silence and the national anthems, each team with their individual nameplates replaced by “BRONCOS” to demonstrate unity and support.

“In hockey, we have learned that you don’t play for the name on the back of the jersey, you play for the crest on the front,” the PA announcer at Bell MTS Place explained.

“Tonight, the Winnipeg Jets and the Chicago Blackhawks, together with the National Hockey League, are playing this game for the names on the back of our jersey: the Humboldt Broncos.”

The name was worn proudly, we’re sure, by players that logged many miles in buses and across similar roads on their paths to the NHL.

Jets and Blackhawks stood in unity to honour victims of the Humboldt Broncos. (Getty)
Jets and Blackhawks stood in unity to honour victims of the Humboldt Broncos. (Getty)

Proceeds from the 50/50 draw in Winnipeg will be donated to victims and families of the Humboldt Broncos.

The Edmonton Oilers are planning a similar donation, while many other teams have pledged to the fundraising effort as well.

In Toronto, the Maple Leafs and Canadiens took part in a moment of silence as well.

Meanwhile in Nashville, the Predators and Blue Jackets stood for “O, Canada” as a gesture to their grieving neighbours to the north.

And Vegas is wearing special helmet decals to honour the victims:

Well done to all.

Latest Stories

  • Big names tumble in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest 2021 NFL mock draft

    See which top prospects fall in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah

  • Jalen Hurts trade fits: 5 potential landing spots for the Eagles most valuable asset

    If the Eagles decide to build around Carson Wentz, here are five potential landing spots for backup quarterback, Jalen Hurts.

  • Nets' Kevin Durant calls out Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal in recent Instagram comments

    An Instagram post by BasketballNews.com's Etan Thomas sparked the debate about Barkley's recent comment that NBA players "deserve some preferential treatment" when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine because of how much they pay in taxes. Durant didn't hold back after seeing that, responding to the post in the comments.

  • Report: Dwayne Haskins had another offer before signing with Steelers

    Dwayne Haskins reportedly had at least two teams interested in signing him before agreeing to a contract with Pittsburgh.

  • Report: Patriots bringing Matt Patricia back to coaching staff

    Matt Patricia is reported to be making a return engagement with the New England Patriots

  • Potential Mets' target Kiké Hernandez has agreed to multi-year deal with Red Sox: report

    Potential Mets' free agent target Kiké Hernandez has reportedly agreed to a mulit-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The deal is worth $14 million over two years, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

  • LeGarrette Blount addresses ‘the question’ that comes with Josh McDaniels’ coaching candidacy

    Why Blount thinks McDaniels isn't getting head coaching jobs.

  • NFL championship Sunday: Schedule, predictions, odds and picks

    Sam Farmer, The Times NFL writer is 9-1 in NFL playoffs. Here's his picks for Sunday's conference championship games.

  • Draymond Green got ejected after yelling at teammate James Wiseman

    In an odd sequence, Draymond Green was issued a second technical foul after yelling at James Wiseman, and was subsequently ejected.

  • Bruins' Trent Frederic taunting Devils star P.K. Subban is absolute gold

    Trent Frederic hurled a well-researched insult at P.K. Subban during the Bruins' season opener against the Devils.

  • Gordon Hayward's free agency decision came down to these 5 teams

    In a conversation with The Athletic, ex-Celtic Gordon Hayward revealed the five teams he considered during free agency this past offseason.

  • Steph Curry had a wild, hilarious reaction after a reporter called him by his first name

    Wardell clearly isn't a name Steph Curry is called by very often.

  • Phil Mickelson’s budding relationship with teen sensation Akshay Bhatia is proving to be mutually beneficial

    Mickelson is nearly three times the age of Akshay Bhatia and schooled him in the art of the pre-tournament practice round money game.

  • LeBron, Durant fire back at Shaq, ‘old heads’ in Instagram comments

    Current NBA players tend to bristle at criticism and analysis from TNTs "get off my lawn" crew.

  • Deshaun Watson weighs in with another cryptic tweet

    Deshaun Watson playing the long game with a cryptic tweet

  • Dolphins’ offensive coordinator search takes surprising turn

    Dolphins' offensive coordinator search takes surprising turn

  • NFL conference championship picks: Brady v Rodgers, and a Chiefs shock

    Two decorated veterans face off at Lambeau Field, while the best of the next generation play in Kansas City. Who makes the Super Bowl? Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers met earlier this season and the Buccaneers emerged as victors. Photograph: Mark LoMoglio/AP Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay PackersSunday, 3.05pm ET/8.05pm GMT What the Buccaneers need to do to win: Surprisingly for two quarterbacks who have ruled the NFL for much of the century, there isn’t a lot of history to go on between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers – this will be only their fourth meeting as starters. Brady won their previous game, a 38-10 beatdown in Week 6 of this season, when the defense harried Rodgers all day, sacking him five times. Rodgers, who has been mostly flawless since, is unlikely to be bullied again though. So Tampa Bay may have to beat the Packers in a shootout, hoping their formidable offensive weapons all click at once. That will put pressure on backup Bucs guard Aaron Stinnie, who made his first ever NFL start against the Saints last week (and did pretty well). What the Packers needs to do to win: Like the Buccaneers, the Packers have a weakened offensive line. It held up well enough against the best defense in the league, the Rams, last week but Los Angeles’ biggest threat, Aaron Donald, was hampered by a rib injury. Rodgers has been so good this year that it’s hard to see him being outscored by the Buccaneers if he gets enough protection. Some have argued that the frigid Lambeau Field will hand the Packers a big advantage over a warm-weather team like Tampa Bay. But Tom Brady played plenty of games in the New England winter and that seemed to work out fine for him. Key player: Rob Gronkowski, tight end, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronk’s best days are behind him and he is no longer the unstoppable force he was a few years ago. So his importance in this game lies not so much in his abilities but who he matches up against. If the Packers have one obvious weakness, it’s their linebackers. Look for Brady to go back to a familiar safety blanket and find Gronk in the middle of the field as this game goes on. Prediction: Packers. The Buccaneers struggled to shake off 7-9 Washington in the wildcard round and were helped by a series of Drew Brees turnovers against the Saints last week. Brady and his new teammates gel much more than they did at the start of the season, but are still not the threat they should be, given their talent. I don’t think they’re at the level where they can beat Rodgers and Davante Adams this time around. Buffalo Bills at Kansas City ChiefsSunday, 6.40pm ET/11.40pm GMT Patrick Mahomes is the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Photograph: Jason Behnken/AP What the Bills need to do to win: The Chiefs can do so much damage, so quickly, through the air with the likes of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill that encouraging them to go to the run game, perhaps by not packing the box, is one option. Josh Allen has evolved beyond recognition in a short space of time, partly because of the array of weapons he has, from the almost impossible to cover Stefon Diggs to Cole Beasley to tight end Dawson Knox. The Bills will need to keep that chemistry going on Sunday. What the Chiefs need to do to win: As mentioned above, Allen’s progress this season has been extraordinary and he is no longer the turnover machine he was. But he still makes mistakes and the Chiefs’ standout defensive talents, whether it is Tyrann Matthieu or Chris Jones, are capable of forcing him into making errors. If the Bills do manage to make the Chiefs turn to the run game, the fitness of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, returning from injury, could be telling. Key player: Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes is the best player in the NFL, so he is the most important player in any game he plays. But his impact on Sunday feels particularly telling. Mahomes was forced out of last week’s win over the Browns due to concussion – and he has been limited in practice – but he will almost certainly start. The question is what version of Mahomes plays. The concussion doesn’t appear to have been too damaging (at least in the short-term) but more worrying for the Chiefs is the fact that Mahomes is also suffering from turf toe. Mahomes is no Lamar Jackson, he won’t scorch you for 50 yards, but his mobility and ability to beat the rush is an important part of his game. Prediction: Bills. A fully fit Mahomes beats Allen 90% of the time. But a limited Mahomes, who has been very good rather than great in his recent games, is a different proposition. The lingering effects of the concussion and his reduced mobility will hand this one to the Bills … just.

  • Michigan football QB Dylan McCaffrey enters NCAA transfer portal

    Michigan football quarterback Dylan McCaffrey has officially entered the transfer portal, the Free Press has learned.

  • McGregor vs Poirier purse: How much will stars earn for UFC 257 fight?

    Pair will main event in Abu Dhabi in a rematch six years in the making

  • Texans’ Josh McCown interview makes mockery of process

    Josh McCown is a great player and a great person, one of the most underrated quarterbacks of the past generation. But McCown should not be considered for a head-coaching position in the NFL. Not yet. Maybe in time he’ll become a head coach, and maybe he’ll be a great one. Maybe he’ll win Super Bowls. [more]