The announcement of a new Netflix hockey drama has ignited a firestorm of emotion, particularly in Saskatchewan, where the echoes of a devastating tragedy continue to resonate deeply. Families connected to the horrific 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash have expressed profound distress, stating that the series treads on incredibly sensitive ground, touching a wound that remains raw.
Scott Thomas, whose son Evan was among the 16 lives tragically lost in the crash that also left 13 others injured, described his initial reaction to the news as a physical blow. "My heart sank," he recounted, "like I was punched in the face. I just sat in silence for a while."
Thomas learned about the Netflix project unexpectedly through a text message from a reporter while at work, having had no prior knowledge of its development. His immediate instinct was to search online for details, a process that only intensified his anguish. "And my heart sank. It really did."
The series, currently in production, is set in a fictional Minnesota town and centers on a high school hockey team grappling with the aftermath of a bus crash that claims the lives of several players and their long-serving coach. Netflix has indicated the narrative will explore the community's journey of rebuilding, with the coach's widow, portrayed by Michelle Monaghan, stepping in to lead the team.
But here's where it gets controversial: Netflix has not explicitly stated that the Humboldt Broncos tragedy served as inspiration for the series. However, the parallels are striking, leading many, including Scott Thomas, to believe the connection is undeniable. "This is so clearly based on our tragedy," Thomas asserted, his voice heavy with emotion. "And it turns my stomach."
The Humboldt Broncos crash, which occurred on April 6, 2018, involved a collision between the team's bus and a semi-trailer at a rural intersection in Saskatchewan as the team was en route to a playoff game. This catastrophic event sent shockwaves across the nation and garnered international attention, leaving families and communities shattered.
Nearly seven years later, the pain of that loss remains a daily reality for those affected. "This is a tragedy that we are still living every day," Thomas emphasized. "There is no feel-good ending to this story."
Thomas is particularly troubled by the perceived trajectory of the fictional plot. He anticipates a narrative arc where a bus crash leads to player deaths, followed by the coach's widow stepping in to guide the team to victory, culminating in a happy resolution. "From what I’m assuming, where they’re going with this is: bus crashes, hockey players die, wife picks up the team and brings them back to glory," he explained. "And in the end, everybody’s happy. That’s just complete trash. That’s not what happened to us. At all."
He expressed concern that viewers, especially those unaware of the Humboldt Broncos incident, might develop a distorted understanding of the profound suffering endured by the families. "If people watch this and think everything turned out OK, that’s just not true," Thomas stated. "We continue to battle with the loss of our son every single day."
He firmly rejects the notion that such profound grief and loss can be reframed as a story of redemption or triumph. "There is no phoenix rising from the ashes here," he declared. "There just isn’t."
Thomas revealed that he was not consulted about the Netflix project and was unaware of any outreach to families or survivors. "I can only speak for myself, I know I wasn’t consulted," he confirmed.
While acknowledging the widespread media coverage of the crash, he argued that this does not legitimize fictionalizing the event. "If this was a documentary based in reality, fact and truth that’s different," he clarified. "But this isn’t that. This is completely fictionalized."
Thomas admitted he wasn't entirely surprised by the prospect of a dramatized story with parallels to the Humboldt tragedy. "We always knew something like this was coming," he said. "But it feels early, and it feels very close to home."
He also raised questions about how a project of this magnitude could proceed without its real-world connections being recognized. "What’s Netflix worth — billions and billions of dollars?" Thomas mused. "It wouldn’t take long to do a quick Google search. Somebody, somewhere, had to know."
His primary wish is for survivors and families to have been involved in the consultation process. "I would have liked survivors and families to have had some consultation," he stated. "To get the real story."
At a minimum, Thomas believes those behind the series owe the affected families an explanation. "I just want them to explain their thought process," he urged. "How this was green-lit."
Netflix has not yet announced a release date for the series.
Do you believe fictionalized stories based on real-life tragedies can ever be handled sensitively, or do they inevitably risk causing further pain? Share your thoughts below.
