A small Saskatchewan city devastated by a fatal bus crash involving its junior hockey team is welcoming a trophy today that fans no doubt hoped would one day be hoisted by one of their boys.

Chandler Stephenson, with the N-H-L champion Washington Capitals, brought the Stanley Cup to Humboldt.

The gesture is to recognize the community’s strength and resilience after the crash that killed 16 people 10 of them players.

But a quiet visit with the cup to the rural highway crossing where the Broncos team bus and a transport truck collided on April 6th may have meant the most to people.

Kaleb Dahlgren, one of the 13 players who survived, says having the cup at the crash was important.

And he says the efforts of the N-H-L players to celebrate Humboldt Hockey Day will help the community heal.

Stephenson, originally from Saskatoon and wearing a green “Humboldt Strong” T-shirt, was escorted by R-C-M-P as he carried the Cup into Humboldt’s arena. (Canadian Press)