The Fuller Lake Vintage Flyers were among the hockey teams paying tribute to the Humboldt Broncos during an oldtimers tournament in Whistler April 12-15.
Dirk Tolman spearheaded the trip and Richard Harnish helped organize the event.
Beth Dunlop was the tournament coordinator and Harnish noted she was very receptive and helpful, with proceeds from tournament items such as hats and mats going toward a GoFundMe contribution.
Helmet stickers were sold to the teams involved and posters were put up in honour of the Broncos.
“We were able to raise almost $600 at the tournament and, outside of that, Dirk was able to raise another $2,000,” Harnish indicated.
A moment of silence was observed before the Flyers’ first game, with the face-off time of 5 p.m. coming exactly one week to the hour since the Humboldt team’s bus accident in Saskatchewan.
“We were all touched by this terrible news and with the GoFundMe efforts as hockey players and fathers, but we also realize that we, too, go to our games and events on a bus just like the Broncos,” added Harnish. “It’s a kinship we recognize greatly.”
The Vintage Flyers also participated in Jersey Day on the ferry trip heading to Whistler. “We caused a good ruckus on the ferry with the support of everyone around us,” Harnish noted.
“It was touching.”
