Jets, Blackhawks wear 'Broncos' jerseys to honor Humboldt junior team

Each member of the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks wore a jersey with "Broncos" on the back in place of his name to honor the members of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team that were involved in a tragic bus accident Friday.

The Jets and Blackhawks came together in a circle of solidarity for a moment of silence before their game at Bell MTS Place. The Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers did the same before their games Saturday as well.
"It was very powerful," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "That connection all hockey players have together. They go through that, traveling as a team, being a part of a team, so it was really emotional. You put [15,500] people in the building, and you can hear a pin drop for as long as you can. I think the crowd sang the national anthem differently. It was a very fitting tribute."

The Broncos were traveling to Nipawin, Saskatchewan, for a playoff game when their bus crashed with a tractor trailer, leaving 15 people dead and 14 injured.
The accident left
a profound impact
on the hockey world, and the NHL did its part to help. The Jets will auction the jerseys from the game and donate the proceeds to the Broncos players and their families. Many other NHL teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens, promised to donate to a GoFundMe page dedicated to supporting
the Humboldt players and their families
. The Canucks promised $29,000, the Flames and Jets will donate the proceeds of their 50/50 raffle Saturday, and the Oilers promised their 50/50 proceeds plus $25,000.
The foundation for Nazem Kadri, the Toronto Maple Leafs center, promised to donate $1,000 for every goal scored in their 4-2 win against the Canadiens on Saturday. Islamic Relief Canada promised to match the amount, and together they donated $12,000. Fans can also donate
through his website.
"We wanted to help," Kadri said. "The hockey community is such a tight-knit group. This is a tragedy, and it's time for all of us to come together."
There was a moment of silence to honor the Broncos at each of the 15 games Saturday, and the Flames, Golden Knights, Canucks and Maple Leafs also each sported Broncos-logo helmet decals to honor the victims.