One of the Humboldt Broncos hockey players injured in a bus crash that killed 16 people has joined his hometown Western Hockey League team as an assistant to the coaches.
The Saskatoon Blades say in a news release that Xavier Labelle, who is 18, has joined the major junior team as a hockey operations assistant.
Labelle suffered a fractured skill, a concussion, internal bleeding and 20 broken bones on April 6 when a transport truck collided with the junior hockey teamB次元官网网址檚 bus in Saskatchewan.
Ten of his teammates died, and he was one of the 13 who were injured.
The team says Labelle, who spent the past two seasons with the Broncos, had attended Blades training camp in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
He graduated from high school at the end of June and joined the Blades hockey operations staff prior to this yearB次元官网网址檚 training camp in August.
It was initially thought that Labelle had died in the crash, but it turned out he had been mixed up with another player.
His family has said they hold no ill will about the error.
In the Blades news release, Labelle said he was approached by the team when he was still in hospital recovering from the crash.
B次元官网网址淥f course, I jumped at the opportunity,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 thought it would be great to remain involved in the game. I never really thought about coaching but being here around the staff and seeing what goes into this side of a team, itB次元官网网址檚 definitely piqued my interest.B次元官网网址�
The team says Labelle will start by helping coaches with reviewing game footage, but heB次元官网网址檚 expected to take on more responsibilities going forward.
B次元官网网址淚 just started thinking about the boy and what we could do for him, and how we could help him,B次元官网网址� said Blades general manager Colin Priestner. B次元官网网址淲e discussed the different opportunities, where his comfort level was, and it became quite clear he wanted to remain involved in the hockey operations.B次元官网网址�
The team says Labelle will also have a role in the BladesB次元官网网址� pre-game tribute to the Broncos in their home opener on Sept. 22.
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The Canadian Press
