It was more than just a game for the Surrey Eagles and their fans Friday night.
The team retiredB次元官网网址檚 number before facing the Prince George Spruce Kings in the South Surrey arena.
Joseph, 20, was one of the 16 people who died in the Humboldt BroncosB次元官网网址 bus crash April 6. Joseph played for the Eagles during the 2015/16 season.
The # 10 has been officially retired for Jaxon Joseph. No Eagles player will ever wear it again.
B次元官网网址 Surrey Eagles (@SurreyEagles)
Players from both teams gathered at centre ice for a moment of silence. JosephB次元官网网址檚 number, 10, was raised to the rafters.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more than a hockey game tonight, itB次元官网网址檚 going to be emotional honouring all of the members of the Humboldt Broncos who lost their lives, especially Jaxon who played for the Surrey Eagles,B次元官网网址 Eagles forward Eric Linell said in a pregame interview.
Eagles assistant captain Eric Linell talks pre-game about an emotional night coming up at South Surrey Arena, and how the team is looking to get on the right track.
B次元官网网址 Surrey Eagles (@SurreyEagles)
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e heard he was a great kid, great hockey player, worked hard on the ice and off the ice as well, great in the community. IB次元官网网址檝e heard nothing about great things about him.B次元官网网址
The first 250 fans of FridayB次元官网网址檚 game received a commemorative puck honouring Joseph. Hockey sticks were placed at the entrance of the arena, following a trend that happened for the victims.
During the game, the team sold special Humboldt-inspired Eagles jerseys to raise money for JosephB次元官网网址檚 family.
JosephB次元官网网址檚 number is only the second retired by the club. Former forward Jeff NabsethB次元官网网址檚 No. 8 jersey was retired after he was killed in a bike accident on Vancouver Island in 1999.
The Eagles won FridayB次元官网网址檚 game in shootout, 3-2.