By Jeff D'Andrea

P.A. vigil honours Broncos as Rebels win Senator’s Cup

Apr 9, 2018 | 9:00 AM

Red Pheasant Rebels captain Sheldon Wuttunee has lifted the Senator’s Cup over his head before, but Sunday’s championship will always feel a little different.  

When Wuttunee’s Rebels defeated the Norway House Bruins 6-2 in the finals at the Art Hauser Centre, his heart was heavy for the Humboldt Broncos after their bus collided with a semi-trailer and killed 15 passengers Friday evening.   

“When I was younger, I had an opportunity to play a game with Humboldt and my younger brother Drew got to play there for a couple years, so that hits home,” Wuttunee said. “We have a couple friends that have kids, one is okay and one’s not doing well, but we wish the best for them.”

Throughout the weekend, Senator’s Cup players and organizers paid tribute to the Humboldt team. On Saturday, they held a prayer ceremony before the 3 p.m. game, and on Sunday, a vigil was held before the final game. Each member of the Rebels and Bruins kneeled around the centre ice circle in unison. The lights in the Art Hauser Centre were dimmed, except the spotlights at centre ice, illuminating a stand with three jerseys on it.

In the centre there was a Broncos’ jersey. It was flanked by Adam Herold’s no. 34 jersey, which he wore while playing with the Prince Albert Raiders before helping the Broncos during their playoff run. On the other side was Jacob Leicht’s old no. 11 jersey, which he wore last season with the Prince Albert Mintos before joining the Broncos this year. Both players tragically died in the crash Friday night.

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Mark Odnokon, the Raiders skills coach, spoke about Herold on behalf of the Raiders.

Herold was a second-round pick of the Raiders in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft and played three games with them this season. He spent most of it as captain of the Regina Pat Canadians before joining the Broncos this postseason.

“He was mature beyond his years,” Odnokon said. “We were so excited for this young man to be in our organization; he was a true Raider,”

Mintos head coach Ken Morrison took to the podium, saying his speech would have to be short as he was worried he would be overcome with emotion if he talked for too long.

He talked about Leicht, who he coached throughout the last season, saying the rookie started on the team as a fourth-liner, and worked his way up to the first by always putting his teammates first.

“He was a small little guy with a big heart,” Morrison said. “He worked really hard and blocked a ton of shots, all the stuff that probably nobody else really wanted to do.”

Morrison also spoke about Layne Matechuk, who he coached with the Mintos from 2015 to 2017. Matechuk is dealing with severe injuries in hospital in Saskatoon.

“With the support of his family and the rest of us, we’re praying that he will pull through,” Morrison said. “He’s a first-class kid, smooth skater, hard worker. He’s a quiet kid with a great personality.”

Rebels 6 Bruins 2

First Period

1-0, Rebels, Dougie McLeod from Nolan Baptiste, 9:13

2-0, Rebels, Aaron Starr from Dougie McLeod, 4:43

3-0, Rebels, Vinnie Sauve from Myles Baptiste and Drew Rose (power play), 0:30

Second Period

3-1, Bruins, Sam McKay Jr. from Tony Apetagon (power play) 3:15

3-2, Bruins, Ron Cote from Skylar Tait and Brent Wilson (power play) 1:47

Third Period

4-2, Rebels, Dougie McLeod from Sheldon Wuttunee and Tyson Wuttunee, 16:34

5-2, Rebels, Drew Rose from Sheldon Wuttunee and Vinnie Sauve (power play), 5:15

6-2, Rebels, Dougie McLeod from Sheldon Wuttunee and Drew Rose (empty net), 1:21

Tournament Awards

Top Goaltender: Edward Albert Jr., Norway House

Top Forward: Dougie McLeod, Red Pheasant

Top Defenceman: Drew Rose, Red Pheasant

Most Valuable Player: Garret Montour, Red Pheasant

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW