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Former Thunder goalie Parker Tobin identified as deceased following Humboldt Broncos bus crash

Apr 9, 2018 | 7:24 AM

A former Drayton Valley Thunder player has been confirmed to have died in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash on Friday, after two members of the team had been incorrectly identified as one another.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice released a statement this morning saying that two members of the Humboldt Broncos Junior ‘A’ hockey team had been incorrectly identified as one another.

One of the deceased players had previously been identified as Xavier Labelle, however that was incorrect and Xavier is not deceased.

18-year-old Parker Tobin had been misidentified and was previously believed to have survived and is one of the 15 people that lost their lives in the tragedy. 

Tobin, who was from Stony Plain, played goalie for the Thunder during the 2016-17 season before being traded and playing for the Humboldt Broncos this season.

A second former Thunder player involved in the crash, 19-year-old Tyler Smith, is said to be recovering in hospital.

Tyler’s mother, Leigh-Ann Smith, took to Twitter following the crash, saying to her son, “We are so blessed to still have you, because with out you life would not be the same. Also with remorse and sadness at the same time. We grieve for your hockey family and the ones that have passed on a the trip we know so well.”

The Drayton Valley Thunder will be holding a vigil on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Drayton Valley Omniplex in support of the Humboldt Broncos.

Thousands gathered in Humboldt last night to remember the 15 people who died when the Broncos bus crashed on Friday, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.