A fresh Netflix series is currently in the works, unfolding in a blue-collar community where hockey reigns supreme, until a tragic bus accident claims the lives of players and their coach. This narrative strikes a chord with many in Saskatchewan.
The plot closely resonates with Scott Thomas, who is grappling with the loss of his 18-year-old son, Evan, a budding right winger for the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. Evan was one of the 16 individuals who perished when the team’s bus collided with a truck that ran a stop sign in rural Saskatchewan on April 6, 2018.
Despite the absence of a trailer, release date, or public title, the thematic parallels have raised concerns. Thomas expressed his reservations, stating that attempting to derive triumph from tragedy, as portrayed online, is something he cannot reconcile with the devastating reality his family faces daily.
Netflix, in response to CBC’s inquiry, clarified that the series is a work of fiction and not inspired by real-life events. The show unfolds in South Dorothy, Minnesota, where the local high school hockey team, renowned for producing championship winners and future NHL talents, is struck by a bus crash that claims several players and their coach.
The storyline takes a turn as Harper, the coach’s widow played by Michelle Monaghan, is tasked with coaching a new team of emotionally scarred young men, as per Netflix’s promotional materials. This hopeful narrative of resurrection from adversity starkly contrasts with Thomas’s ongoing grief and denial of closure.
While Thomas does not demand consultation, he expressed a desire to be informed if the series draws inspiration from the Broncos tragedy. He emphasized that a factual documentary would serve a more meaningful purpose in honoring the memories of the victims and the ongoing battles their loved ones face.
The online buzz surrounding the series has sparked mixed reactions, with some labeling it as distasteful profiteering, while others defend the artistic license to draw from real-life events. The close ties to the Humboldt incident, especially centered on hockey players, further intensify the emotional resonance for viewers, particularly Canadians.
As the production team remains silent on the unfolding controversy, viewers and critics alike ponder whether the series will tread sensitively as a tribute or veer towards exploiting trauma for dramatic effect. Ultimately, the balance between honoring the authenticity of the tragedy and crafting a Hollywood-style narrative remains a key question mark for those invested in the project.
