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Several parents of players involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash are speaking out against a new book about the hockey team and tragedy.
The team is asking Canadians to boycott the new book titled Humble Beginnings of the Humboldt Broncos and the 2017-2018 Team that they say has been written against their wishes.
Released on Sept. 6, the book is listed on the Indigo-Chapters website at $20.00 and is shown to be available at multiple locations in Saskatoon.
“A man by the name Barry Heath has written a book about the tragedy and nightmare we have all been living,” said Christina Haugan, widow of the Broncos’ head coach Darcy Haugan, in a statement shared on Facebook.
“He has done this without the support and endorsement of any family involved in this. In fact, he was specifically asked not to do this at this time as none of us felt ready for something like that.”
The crash on April 6 claimed 16 lives and injured over a dozen others.
“The story of our family members is ours to tell, either individually or collectively, as we choose,” read a post on Toby Boulet’s Facebook account on Monday. Boulet’s son, Logan, was one of the players killed in the crash involving the Broncos’ team bus and a semi-truck.
Michelle Straschnitzki, whose son Ryan survived but was left paralyzed from the waist down, took to Twitter to voice her anger.
“Do not buy the book. It was in no way supported or endorsed by the 29 families! It is NOT Dr. Heath’s story to tell,” she said.
Do not buy the book. It was in no way supported or endorsed by the 29 families! It is NOT Dr. Heath’s story to tell 🤬🤬 https://t.co/L3ZTMnR52j
— Michelle Straz (@MichelleStraz) October 8, 2018
In a recent interview, Health claims that he isn’t making any money off the book, with proceeds go to a charity that gives bursaries to young hockey players.
He said that in writing the book he relied on media interviews with family members and others to “capture and retell the beautiful memories of lives lost and changed.” Two parents had initially been willing to participate in the book, he said.
He believes some of the families are understandably still grieving and need someone to be angry at.
“Without knowing what is in the book — a tribute to the Broncos of last year, the response, the worldwide attention and giving, and the team history from its inception — I am the current focus of blame and anger.
“I am sorry they feel that way and understand one’s anger needs to have a focus.”
With files from The Canadian Press.
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