A former member of the Estevan Bruins who was one of 16 people killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash last month is a finalist for the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award.
Darcy Haugan was the Broncos head coach and general manager at the time of the collision.
He played for the Bruins during his final season of junior hockey in 1995-96, and returned to the team in 2000 to be an assistant coach. He was the interim co-head coach and general manager for the final weeks of the 2002-03 season.
Haugan was then the head coach and general manager of the junior B North Peace Navigators in Peace River, Alta., from 2003-2015, and then he returned to Saskatchewan to be the head coach and general manager of the Broncos.
“Darcy Haugan left a lasting impact on his community of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, on every community which was fortunate enough to have him as a resident, and on junior hockey,” states his bio. “He changed the lives of many of his players, always being there for each one of them and never hesitating to give them a second chance, because Darcy never gave up on anyone. He fought for his team and had their backs – he was the coach and mentor everybody wanted.
“Darcy believed strongly that hockey is not about making hockey players, it’s about making amazing human beings. He did just that, building up young leaders who also happened to develop strong hockey skills along the way. His presence would fill the room and his love for the game was undeniable.”
His bio also described his strong Christian faith and how it influenced all aspects of his life, his passion for the game, his love for his family and his commitment to the community.
In 2015, Darcy’s dedication to the game earned him Hockey Alberta’s prestigious Meritorious Award for contribution to the game of hockey.
The award is named after O'Ree, who was the first black player in NHL history, and is the NHL's diversity ambassador. O’Ree and his committee chose the finalists from a pool of nine semifinalists based on their demonstration of impressive leadership, collaboration and behaviour that has transcended the sport, improved lives and helped others reach their potential.
The other finalists are Debbie Bland of Etobicoke, Ont., the co-founder/builder of the Etobicoke Dolphins Girls Hockey League, and Neal Henderson of Washington, founder of the Fort Dupont Hockey Club.
The award is presented to the person who best utilizes hockey as a platform for participants to build character and develop important life skills for a more positive family experience. It will be presented at the 2018 NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 20.
"I believe we are three individuals within ourselves," said O'Ree. "We're a person who we think we are, we're a person who other people think we are and we're a person who we really are. And to find that real person within yourself and staying focused on what you want to do, that's a big factor."
The award winner will be based on a public vote. People can vote once per day. Voting closes on June 1.
To vote, visit https://www.nhl.com/fans/willie-oree-community-hero-award.
