Mr. Speaker, over eight years, one's perspective can change, from hockey player to hockey parent. This winter, my wife ran into Mr. Cross at the Strasbourg rink, watching kids play the sport his son loved. His son was Mark Cross, the assistant coach for the Humboldt Broncos, who died in the crash. On April 6, it will be eight years since the crash. Today my words are inspired by Mr. Cross and all hockey parents.
God looked down and said we needed hockey parents, people who can cut sticks, sharpen skates and tape ankles. God needed someone who can get up when it is still dark, pack the cooler bag, travel icy roads, fight blizzards and beat the rising sun for early winter ice times, all with a smile on their faces for the love of the game. He needed someone who can run on coffee and rink burgers, make a noisemaker out of anything and cheer on every kid like they are their own. He needed someone who would give up seven months of weekends to sit in a cold rink and be there for the thrill of victories but also shed the tears of defeat. God therefore made a hockey parent.
On April 6, I would ask everyone to please keep the Humboldt Broncos in their thoughts and prayers and to say a little extra blessing for our hockey parents. Last, leave a stick on the porch in case one of our Broncos needs a spare for their evening game upstairs.
God bless Humboldt.