Former Grande Prairie Storm player Michael Clarke is ready to represent the Humboldt Broncos tonight as one of the team’s new assistant captains.
The Fourth year player and two others, Brayden Camrud and Derek Patter who both survived the crash, will share leadership duties when the team opens their season against the Nipawin Hawks who they were set to take on the night of the crash.
The Broncos were in Peace River on September 2 to play an exhibition game against the Grande Prairie Storm in honour of Haugan. After the game, Head Coach Nathan Oystrick said he hopes his players will be able to get past the tragedy and focus on the future instead of the past.
“No one’s ever gonna forget that day but it’s a chance for us to take a step forward and move into the season. It’s about making sure we’re not getting caught up in all the distractions and keeping the focus on hockey and doing whatever we can to help the players in that aspect.”
The game will be broadcast on TSN and will feature an hour-long pre-game show that will honour those lost and affected by the crash and look ahead to this year’s season. Pre-show starts at 5:30 and puck drop is at 6:30 p.m.