By Dan Marshall

Clippers Brodziak remembers friend and teammate lost in Humboldt tragedy

Apr 12, 2018 | 11:21 AM

NANAIMO — All across the country on Thursday Canadians are wearing their hockey jerseys.
 
“Jersey Day” as it’s being called is to show support for the victims and families of the Humboldt Broncos and the devastating bus crash last Friday.
 
One of the victims in the crash, Adam Herold, would have turned 17 on Thursday.
 
Thoughts of Adam are in the hearts and minds of many, including Nanaimo Clipper and Estevan, Saskatchewan native Preston Brodziak.
 
Last season they played together on the Regina Pat Canadians midget team, and Brodziak said even though Herold was a young rookie at the age of 15 at the time, he carried himself like a veteran.
 
“Adam was the most mature guy, he was kind and would go out of his way for anybody,” said Brodziak.
 
Brodziak explained that Herold was the first guy to say hi to you in the dressing room and was everybody’s best friend.
 
There were only three out-of-town players on the Regina team last season and Brodziak and Herold being two of them fostered a special bond.

Preston Brodziak knew several members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team and was very close with Adam Herold: 

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Speaking from Estevan, Brodziak said he’s very proud of his community showing their support for Humboldt and the Broncos.

Many have put hockey sticks out on the porch as a tribute and workers have donated full days wages to help the families affected by the tragedy.

Here in Nanaimo there have been similar stories.

On Thursday, staff at Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub are wearing Nanaimo Clippers jerseys for the day.
 
Owner Elaine Nelson-Hosak said the staff will be donating their tips to the Humboldt Broncos.
 
“And I’m going to match their tips. So we’re going to send that out to the families out there to support them. My heart went out to them and my staff also approached me and they wanted to do something so we just pulled together as a big family,” she said.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77