Mark Klaas | Auburn Reporter
Separated by more than 1,100 miles, Kent, Washington, USA and Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada are communities closely connected by the love of junior hockey.
So when 16 people – including 10 Humboldt players ranging in age from 16 to 21 years – were killed when the Broncos charter bus collided with a semi-trailer truck on a Saskatchewan highway on April 6, it jolted the junior hockey world, Kent included.
…Staci Garrity, a longtime T-Birds fan and dental office receptionist from Federal Way, came up with the idea to capture encouraging words, prayers and signatures from well-wishers on a banner.
…Tony Hettler, a broker for John L. Scott [based out of the JLS Des Moines office] and a youth sports enthusiast, purchased the banner and sponsored the event.
…Organizers for the banner hope to send it to the Humboldt organization once it’s filled with signatures. They hope the Broncos will consider displaying it in their arena in Saskatchewan.
