Nearly one week on from a bus crash that killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos ice hockey team, Canada continues to pay its respects.
Many households have been paying tribute by leaving a hockey stick outside their homes, and the gesture seems to be especially close to one boy’s heart.
Matthew Heaney, a 12-year-old hockey player from Ontario, came home from school to find the stick outside his front door.
But rather than simply walking by it, he stopped for a few tender moments to admire the hockey stick and test it out, before gently kissing it in a heartfelt show of solidarity.
My family left a hockey stick on our porch for the humboldt broncos, and our ring doorbell caught this video of my little brother looking at the stick when he came home from school. Watch until the end, heartbreaking. #humboldtstrong pic.twitter.com/6I9Zu6gF9V
— Vic (@v_heaney16) April 12, 2018
The gesture was captured by a Ring doorbell – a motion based camera attached to his front door.
His sister, Victoria Heaney, told the Press Association: “After the tragedy that happened to the Humboldt Broncos teams, families across Canada have placed their hockey sticks on their porch as a tribute to the players that have passed away.
“My family placed a hockey stick of our own on our porch in memory of those we have lost, and this video is the reaction of my little brother on his way home from school when he saw the stick. From Ontario, Canada.”
Many Twitter users praised the show of respect.
it is a very sweet video and obviously that boy is a kind hearted young fella
— Paddy Daly (@VOCMOpenline) April 12, 2018
Actions speak a thousand words, so pure😊, thx for sharing #HumboldtBroncos
— Glen Cresswell (@Glenncresswell) April 12, 2018
I love this kid. He makes me proud to be part of the hockey community. I have a 6yo boy who is going to play is 1st game ever this Sunday. Tx for posting this
— Anthony Guzzo (@Domiclark) April 12, 2018
When no one is watching is when your character is truly revealed. That’s one awesome young man.
— Ryan Becker (@rklab8902) April 12, 2018
Thirteen others were left injured in Friday’s collision in Saskatchewan. People across Canada, including politicians, have been wearing jerseys to work in a tribute to the victims.
Many have shared their images on Twitter alongside the hashtag #jerseysforhumboldt.
Wearing our #JerseysForHumboldt in the Ontario legislature today in memory of the 16 tragically lost, and in support of their families and the entire #HumboldtBroncos community. #HumboldtStrong 🏒 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ePGk1lRCec
— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) April 12, 2018