Photo: JustSports Photography

As reported earlier this week, the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate teams, the Hershey Bears and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers came together for a pre-game ceremony at tonight’s game in Chocolate Town. This ceremony was to honor the victims of the tragedy that has befallen the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.

When fans entered Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania this evening, they were greeted by the hockey rink therein, not sporting the usual Hershey Bears logo at center ice, but instead, the Humboldt Broncos’ logo.

As the time drew near for the game to begin, both teams met around the logo in pattern and the spotlights above the rink colored the arena in a proud green and yellow, the team colors of the Broncos.

The Bears’ announcer told the everyone that “We are not just hockey teams, we are a hockey family. And we are all Humboldt strong”.  The announcer then requested we honor the 14 players (and two team personnel) killed in the tragedy with a moment of silence, and as the green and yellow lighting faded away, so too did the noise.

We are #HumboldtStrong#HBHpic.twitter.com/JOTzTsYa3e
— T.O.C. Hockey Blog (@tochockeyblog) April 14, 2018

Video: T.O.C. Hockey Blog

The attendants were then thanked for their respectful moment of silence, and the arena erupted with applause for those we lost, and for those who lost their sons, brothers and families in that terrible accident. As the clamor calmed down, the singing of both the Canadian and American national anthems began. An additional 16-second moment of silence was then held following puck drop to begin the game.

@TheHersheyBears radio announcer Zach Fisch turns game call over to late Humbolt Broncos announcer Tyler Bieber for first 16 seconds of the game. #HumboltStrong

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 14, 2018

There was also a raffle that fans could enter throughout the night outside Section 125. The raffle included such prizes as skater and goalie sticks as well as a helmet. The biggest prizes up for grabs at tonight’s game of chance were some very special plaques. The first being a Hershey Bears plaque colored in the Humboldt Broncos green and yellow color scheme, signed by every player on the Bears. The second plaque was a green and yellow HB plaque, signed by every player from both the Bears and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. 100% of the proceeds earned from the giveaways will go to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. It was later announced that $4,772 was raised to held support the Humboldt Broncos.

Photo: Hershey Bears

We here at NoVa Caps extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of these awful events, and remind everyone that we’re all Humboldt Strong. If you were unable to attend tonight’s game in Hershey and would like to help the cause, you can donate to the Humboldt Broncos’ GoFundMe campaign by clicking here.

By: Chris Laroche