Photo Credit: Britton Ledingham
The Humboldt Broncos Junior hockey team will always be remembered in most peoples’ hearts, especially within the sport of hockey. A bus crash killed 16 people, and led to 13 survivors. It was a sad day for all those that loved the sport of hockey throughout the world.
The community has really rallied behind the Broncos, their families, and their friends. Former Flyers General Manager Ron Hextall formed a great relationship with Ryan Straschnitzki and his family, even Andrew MacDonald had a great relationship with Ryan, as well, to offer up his home to Ryan and his family as they stayed in Philadelphia for treatments and recuperation back in 2018. Ryan may have been paralyzed from the waist down following the bus crash, but his love for hockey never wavered.
Straschnitzki continues his great relationship with the Flyers today, and one of the most inspiring moments of the three game Western Canadian swing fir the Flyers was to meet Straschnitzki once again:
Ryan signed Claude Giroux’s stick and it reads:
“To Claude,
Thanks for your continued support. All the best this season! Your pal Straz” – Signed Ryan Straschnitzki
The young 22-year-old in Ryan, moved his legs following a surgery in November of 2019, and he used a walker for the first time on June 11, 2021. Ryan will always be an inspiration to the hockey community, and in particular the Flyers. In an interview I conducted with Giroux on September 28, 2018. Giroux overcame with emotion while talking about the Humboldt Broncos, “I saw a little of their first game, and saw some videos after…it’s [sighs, overcome with emotion, hold on as he coughs] pretty emotional,” Giroux exclaims. “The crowd there is great to see, just.”Â
Let’s keep the Broncos and their families in our prayers, as some may endure more pain. We stand with you, united as one, never forget the Humboldt Broncos.
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