The chaplain of the Vancouver Giants opened up his church on Sunday night in hopes of helping his community come to terms with the crash that claimed 15 lives in Saskatchewan.
Police say that after a tractor-trailer collided with the Humboltd Broncos bus on Highway 35. The team had been on its way to Game 5 of a semi-final playoff series against the Nipawin Hawks Friday evening.
鈥淚 identify very closely with what they鈥檙e going through and I can鈥檛 imagine if that鈥檇 been a call about our bus, how devastating that would be,鈥� said Lighthouse Church pastor Danny Stebeck.
鈥淚鈥檓 really feeling their pain.鈥�
On Sunday morning, the death toll stood at 15, including head coach Darcy Haugan, , bus driver Glen Doerksen, sports reporter Tyler Bieber, and 11 players. Adam Herold, 16, was the youngest victim.
Of the 14 in hospital, only 20-year-old Nick Shumlanski has been released so far.
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Although Humboldt is two provinces away, Stebeck said that the far-flung nature of hockey means that everyone in the community is affected.
鈥淭he hockey community is so close, there鈥檚 people all over the Metro Vancouver area that are feeling it,鈥� said Stebeck.
鈥淚 just wanted to show support and provide a space for people to grieve.鈥�
The pain is especially poignant in Ladner, which hosts the practice arena for the Vancouver Giants.
Although their season has ended and the players are back home with their families, Stebeck said the community is in mourning 鈥� as are the players.
鈥淚鈥檝e reached out to especially those [players] in Saskatchewan,鈥� he said.
鈥淥ne of the kids had a friend who lost his life in this bus crash, other are connected in various ways and they鈥檙e really feeling it.鈥�
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As a pastor, Stebeck is sadly familiar with tragedy.
鈥淔or people going through the deep hurt right now, the first step is just to acknowledge it, and allow it,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e too often push it out of the way and try to carry on and pretend that we鈥檙e okay.鈥�
A for the team had reached nearly $4.5 million as of Sunday morning.
The at the Lighthouse Church and coincided with one being held at the Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was scheduled to attend the Humboldt vigil.
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