Players from Virden, Kenton and Elkhornjoined those from Saskatchewan onFriday, April 13in Moosomin for a benefit game for the Humboldt Broncos.
“It was special playing in the game seeing the hockey community come together like that,” said Elkhorn’s Curtis Oliver, who spent part of his junior hockey career with the Virden Oil Capitals.
Organized by Mike Schwean, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Moosomin, the game drew about 2,000 fans out to the arena to raise money and support the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team that was in the bus crash earlier this month.
$52,000 Raised
The event raised $52,000 and brought together 96 players – all but two were competing in or had played in the junior ranks – and six officials, who had all worked at the junior level.
“I got a text earlier in the week that we were going to try and get a few guys to come out and play for Humboldt and it blew up from there,” said Elkhorn’s Josh Martin, who capped his junior career in 2017 with a Manitoba Junior Hockey League championship with Portage.
“It was an honour to get out and play the game we love with Humboldt in our hearts.”
Virden contributes
Virden Oil Capitals video coach and goaltending coach consultant Ryan Potter strapped on his goalie pads for the first time in six years to participate.
“It was incredible to see the support the game received,” said Potter, who grew up in Moosomin. “Mike Schwean and his group deserve a whole lot of credit for putting the game together.”
Former Oil Capitals goalie Kyler Beckett also manned the crease in his hometown.
“The best part about that game for me was seeing all your old hockey buddies growing up all in one place and playing the game we all love,” said Beckett who works at Nixon Electric in Moosomin.
“The crowd was incredible and it's hard to believe that this whole event came together in under a week. I think I can speak for everyone when I say it was an amazing event for an even better cause. We all support the Broncos.”
Elkhorn players, too
Other former junior players hailing from the area who competed included Kyle McLeod and Tanner Kyle, who are both from Elkhorn, and Kenton’s Logan McGonigal. Elkhorn’s Layne Toder, who played this past winter for the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen, was one of the current junior players to take to the ice. Former Oil Capital Drayson Skulmoski, who played most of last season with Waywayseecappo, also participated in the game inhis hometown.
Schwean expressed his appreciation to the entire region – players, fans, and media – for their support. He said, “More than anything, though, our prayers are with the Broncos family.”
