The Maple Ridge Burrards WLA team said the Humboldt Broncos team bus crash is a tragedy that all lacrosse players and sports teams from across the country could feel.
“It’s a tragedy that hits close to home,” said Lance Andre, a longtime coach and executive in the WLA and Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse, and the president of the WLA Burrards.
“Everyone in the organization has been on junior teams and travelling teams. We’ve all loaded up the bus, and off you go.”
It also was close to home because assistant coach Rob Dalzell has family in the Humboldt area, where his wife is from.
“They felt the impact of it,” said Andre.
The team donated $1,000, with the hope it would inspire other WLA teams and junior lacrosse teams to donate whatever they could.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Andre.
The bus carrying the Broncos collided with a tractor trailer on Friday, and 15 people on the bus were killed, including teen hockey players. Another 14 players were injured, some listed in critical condition.
“I don’t have a lot to say other than the worst nightmare has happened,” said Bill Chow, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League president.
Among those killed as former Surrey Eagle Jaxon Joseph, the son of former NHL player Chris Joseph.
The financial support for the victims and their families, from donors like the Burrards, has been pouring in, and more than $1 million has been raised.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.