An unprecedented outpouring of grief hung in the air last week at the sentencing for Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the driver of the semi truck involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash that left 16 people dead.

As reported by StarMetro reporter Claire Theobald, family and friends of the victims and the 13 people injured spent three days recounting the trauma of the crash and the suffering they continue to endure.

There were too many people to fit inside the local Melfort, Sask. courthouse, so 200 plastic chairs were set up in the Kerry Vickar Centre’s gymnasium to accommodate the weeklong hearing.

But through their grief, family and friends remembered players with promise, dedicated coaches, and others who worked hard to bring the Broncos team success.

Full story: Unprecedented outpouring of grief at sentencing for truck driver in Humboldt Broncos bus crash

These are the 16 people killed and what their family and friends shared in open court of their memories and pain.

LOGAN BOULET, 21

Boulet’s parents, Toby and Bernadine, said some would consider them the lucky ones, spending 19 hours with their son in an intensive care unit before he died.

It’s the small moments, those little things families take for granted, that make their loss real. His father sobbed as Bernadine talked about how their son would leave his dirty pans on the stove.

“I just want to hold my boy,” Toby cried. “I hurt everywhere, I just want Logan to come home.”

JACOB LEICHT, 19

Leicht always had a twinkle in his eye, a massive grin and a happy spirit, said his mother Celeste Leray-Leicht.

He worked hard in school, received the Prince Albert “AAA” Mintos Scholastic Award and graduated from high school on the honour roll before playing his first season on the Humboldt Broncos.

An obituary written for Leicht said: “Jacob flew on the ice, now he is flying with the angels.”

LOGAN SCHATZ, 20

Breaking the news of Schatz’s death to his brothers and sisters was one of the hardest things his mother, Bonnie, has ever done.

“I’m still waiting for this pain to lift just a little bit,” she said.

A natural athlete, Schatz played ball hockey with the Rotten Donkeys and played for Saskatchewan at the Men’s Ball Hockey Nationals with the Saskatoon Buffalo. He excelled in track and field, loved golf and was reportedly a beer pong champion.

JAXON JOSEPH, 20

Clutching a pair of socks he pulled from his dead son’s feet, former NHL player Chris Joseph described the panic he felt as his family raced toward the hospital.

“You broke my baby’s back and punctured his lungs,” Joseph’s mother, Andrea Joseph, said through heaving sobs, addressing Jaskirat Singh Sidhu. “All this grief was caused by you.”

Joseph loved spending time with his family, friends and any and all dogs. He relished warm summer days at Lake Osoyoos.

DARCY HAUGAN, 42

Haugan’s vision as coach of the Humboldt Broncos extended far beyond the ice.

“The Humboldt Broncos were about, not building hockey players, but creating amazing young men,” said Broncos president Kevin Garinger. “That was Darcy’s belief and, through that, they would ultimately become great hockey players too.”

While the pain of their loss was palpable, Haugan’s family found the strength to offer Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, forgiveness.

“We know that you did not wake up that morning with the intention of harming others,” said Haugan’s mother, Shirlea, “just as we did not know that when we wished our son good luck at the game that evening it would be our last goodbye.”

MARK CROSS, 27

Assistant Broncos coach Chris Beaudry described Cross as “a beautiful guy to be around” and the happiest man he had ever met.

Mark Cross joined the Humboldt Broncos as assistant coach just a year earlier, coming from Strasbourgh, Sask., where he was named most valuable player with the Maroons in the Highway Hockey League.

“Mark had so much left to do,” said his long-time partner Molly Schnell. “I still remember the day he got the call from Darcy about getting the assistant coaching position. The look in his face immediately brought me tears of joy. ... It was just the beginning of his career, I know he would have gone so far as a coach, but coaching and hockey are just a part of who Mark was.”

TYLER BIEBER, 29

Bieber was the voice of the Humboldt Broncos play-by-play for Bolt FM.

That voice is one of the things his mother, Marilyn Hay, will miss the most.

“I miss his radio voice and listening to him in the mornings as I got ready for work,” she said. “I miss his calling the Broncos games. Who knew that the triple overtime game April 4 would be his last, and probably his best call.”

BRODY HINZ, 18

In a brief statement read by the crown prosecutor, Darlene Hinz described feeling angry, frustrated and confused after the loss of her son.

She could not finish writing the statement, the words were too difficult to put to paper.

Hinz had been a fan of the Humboldt Broncos since childhood, attending every game he could since the age of seven. He was the volunteer statistician for the team.

STEPHEN WACK, 21

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Wack’s parents chose to spell their first son’s name with a ‘ph’ because they thought it would be less likely to be abbreviated. They did not expect his hockey friends to nickname him ‘Wacker.’

Wack was described as someone who seemed to be good at everything he tried, whether that was in athletics or academics. He was compassionate, said his dad, Alan, recalling how they were all in the car together and Stephen broke the silence by wishing he could offer his little brother — who was born blind — his eyes.

“To say their brotherly bond was beautiful would be an understatement,” Alan said.

LOGAN HUNTER, 18

Logan Hunter was the son his mother had longed for.

“His smile is now only a memory and his humour missed by all,” said Shauna Nordstrom.

Hunter’s dog Charlie held a special place in his heart. His loss left a gaping hole in his sister’s life.

“I remember how it felt,” said Shelby Hunter, “like someone took a razor sharp knife and cut into my chest. This is what it still feels like today.”

CONNER LUKAN, 21

Lukan’s uncle died on his way to a hockey game in 1996, he was 21 and wore the number 12. Conner was also 21, and wore the number 12 for the Humboldt Broncos when he was killed.

Lukan’s family and friends remember his big heart and smile, describing him as someone who loved golf, spending time with his family and trips to the lake. Lukan also loved Tim Hortons coffee and anything with a motor.

“My beautiful boy is no longer here,” said his mother, Robin. “I will never see his boyish grin, never hear him tease me, never share his laughter, never hear him talk about his truck, never pick up his laundry or get after him for leaving the door open, and I will never forgive this wrong.”

ADAM HEROLD, 16

Herold was the youngest person killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, but his loved ones remember him as wise beyond his years.

“Sixteen years old with so much promise and future, taken away in the flash of a hand,” said his father, Russell.

Herold was the picture of a small-town boy, serving at his church, well liked and respected in school and it was his dream to take over the family farm

“As a parent, I feel we have been robbed of our future,” his mother Raelene said.

EVAN THOMAS, 18

“We miss you every waking moment of every day,” said Scott Thomas, addressing his victim impact statement to his son.

Scott Thomas said his family is moving to a new home, trying to establish a new normal.

“He’s everywhere in the house. We moved into that house just after he could walk,” Scott said.

His mother, Laurie Thomas, said she still lies on his bed and smells his clothes. A suitcase he left remains unpacked.

“I know you are at peace now,” she said, “but that doesn’t stop the pain of missing you my boy.”

GLEN DOERKSEN, 59

Growing up an athlete and sports fan himself, Doerksen always looked forward to driving buses filled with hockey teams.

His love of people is what made him so good at his job, his daughter Melissa Doerksen said.

“The constant pain, sadness, loneliness and emptiness of not having dad in our lives is some days unbearable,” she said. “Not having him for the board games, the golf games, family suppers, fatherly advice, just the simple conversations and his presence while watching TV. ... We missed our Santa at Christmas.”

PARKER TOBIN, 18

Simple things, like watching children playing in the park, trigger waves of happy memories and grief for Tobin’s parents.

“You smile for a moment as you remember a happier time, then you collapse as you realize there will be no more new memories,” said his father Edward.

Tobin’s passion for sports extended well beyond hockey, including baseball and lacrosse. Known as “teacher Tobin” beyond athletics, Tobin was looking forward to studying business or one day going to medical school.

DAYNA BRONS, 24

Carol Brons held up a necklace she had given her daughter as a birthday gift. She won’t take it out of the plastic bag it was put in at the hospital for fear of losing the few strands of hair tangled in the clasp.

Her skill as the Broncos’ trainer was credited with getting injured players back on the ice far sooner than expected. Many looked up to her as a big sister and were able to share secrets, frustrations, worries and dreams they didn’t trust with anyone else.

Her funeral was in the church her parents hoped she would be married in.

“We did walk her down the aisle, but we weren’t escorting a bride, we were escorting a casket,” her mother sobbed.

Read more:

Truck driver in Humboldt Broncos crash: ‘I have taken the most valuable things in your life’

We’ve been ‘bearing the unbearable,’ Humboldt Broncos families tell court on final day of testimony

Grieving Humboldt families grapple with complex emotions during second day of sentencing

With files from Claire Theobald

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