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Memorial for Haugan being planned in Peace River

Apr 10, 2018 | 6:06 PM

At the player’s entrance at the rink in Peace River, where Darcy Haugan coached the Navigators for 12 years, sticks have been set out along with Haugan’s old whiteboards he used to draw up plays for his team. 

Residents in Peace River and surrounding area are devastated by the loss of Haugan, the coach for the Humboldt Broncos who died in the bus crash in Saskatchewan.

The former Navigators coach was born and raised in Peace River.

Town Councillor Orren Ford made a motion at Council Monday to set up a meeting with the Navigators to make plans for a memorial for Haugan.
 
“The Town wants to do something. The reason for the motion is it allows the administration to speak to the Navigators organization who will be in touch with Darcy’s family. So, we can do something as a community together the most appropriate way…to memorialize Darcy, especially with our new multiplex being built,” said Ford. 
 
The Town’s flags have been lowered to half mast until after the memorial takes place. 

“People are leaning on each other. We have a large hockey community here in Peace River. I had some of Darcy’s older alumni players get in touch with me. Basically, the community is leaning on each other’s shoulders. They are grieving the same way the people in Humboldt are grieving.” 

There will be conversations between the Navigators and Haugan’s family before a decision is made on how the former coach will be memorialized. 

President of the Broncos Association Kevin Garringer and Mayor of Humboldt Rob Munch reached out to Peace River following the tragedy. 

“The message coming back from those gentlemen was basically the same message they want to send the Peace River area their deepest condolences from the Humboldt as well as the Broncos organization and everyone who is impacted by the loss of Darcy Haugan.”

Although there are Go Fund Me pages set up for the team, a separate fund has been set up for Haugan.