A new series is currently in the works on Netflix, set in a blue-collar town where hockey reigns supreme until a tragic bus accident claims the lives of players and their coach. This storyline resonates deeply with many individuals in Saskatchewan.
The plot of the series struck a chord with Scott Thomas, who is grappling with the loss of his 18-year-old son Evan, a promising rookie right winger for the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. Evan was among the 16 individuals who tragically lost their lives when the team’s bus collided with a semi-truck that had ignored a stop sign in rural Saskatchewan on April 6, 2018.
While Netflix has not explicitly linked the series to the Humboldt Broncos, the uncanny resemblance in the plot has raised concerns. Scott Thomas expressed his reluctance to find solace in a fictional narrative that mirrors the painful reality his family continues to endure.
The series unfolds in South Dorothy, Minnesota, where a renowned high school hockey team faces a devastating bus crash that claims several players and their coach. The storyline takes a twist as the coach’s widow, portrayed by Michelle Monaghan, is tasked with coaching a new team of emotionally scarred young men.
Scott Thomas voiced his skepticism towards the series’ portrayal of overcoming adversity, stating that the narrative of rising from the ashes does not align with his ongoing grief and loss. He emphasized that the tragedy of losing his son remains a daily struggle.
While Thomas does not expect consultation about the series, he would have appreciated being informed if it drew inspiration from the Humboldt Broncos’ tragedy. He stressed that portraying an inaccurate ending does not honor their story or contribute to their mission of creating a better world in their loved ones’ memory.
The series has sparked a mixed response online, with some criticizing it as exploitative, while others argue that fiction often draws from real-life events. The production company behind the series, 21 Laps, headed by Shawn Levy, has not responded to requests for comment.
As discussions continue about the series, questions linger about its portrayal of a sensitive real-life event. The need for sensitivity, consultation, and authenticity in telling such stories is paramount, with the hope that the final production will handle the delicate subject matter with respect.