NHL pays tribute to Humboldt Broncos with helmet stickers for playoffs

Steve Gardner | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Head coach, team captain among deceased following Humboldt bus crash There have been 15 fatalities and a number of injuries in an accident Friday involving a junior hockey team bus in Saskatchewan.

Even with the start of the playoffs at hand, the National Hockey League hasn't forgotten about the tragic bus crash in Saskatchewan that killed 16 people and injured 13 others. The bus was carrying a junior league team.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told USA TODAY Sports the league has sent out Humboldt Broncos stickers to all teams to wear on their helmets during the playoffs, but stressed their use "was voluntary."

Pittsburgh Penguins head equipment manager Dana Heinze tweeted a photo of the stickers.

On Tuesday, Penguins star Sidney Crosby asked Heinze to make a Penguins jersey with "BRONCOS" on the back so he and his teammates could sign it and send it to the team.

Crosby also signed personal messages to send to each of the crash survivors.

The NHL has been among many organizations to show their support for the Broncos, whose team bus was involved in a fatal crash on Friday. Sixteen people, including the head coach, athletic trainer, some players and the bus driver, died, and 13 others were injured when the team bus and a semi-truck collided. A cause of the crash has not been identified.

A GoFundMe campaign set up to benefit the players and families reached its $4 million goal in two days and as of Wednesday afternoon has totaled over $8.7 million from more than 105,000 donors.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League voted Wednesday to continue with the league finals. Humboldt was en route to a playoff game last week.

Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner