A new series is currently in production on Netflix, set in a blue-collar town where hockey holds significant importance. The storyline involves a tragic bus accident that claims the lives of players and their coach, a narrative that resonates deeply with many individuals in Saskatchewan.
Scott Thomas, who lost his 18-year-old son Evan in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, expressed his profound grief upon learning about the series. Despite lacking a trailer, release date, or title, the thematic parallels between the show and his personal tragedy have stirred mixed emotions for Thomas.
The series, based in South Dorothy, Minnesota, depicts a high school hockey team grappling with loss after a fatal bus collision. The plot follows the coach’s widow, portrayed by Michelle Monaghan, as she mentors a new team of struggling young men, hinting at a tale of resilience and redemption that diverges from Thomas’s painful reality.
While Netflix clarified that the show is entirely fictional and not inspired by real-life events, Thomas expressed reservations about the narrative’s divergence from the truth. He emphasized the ongoing anguish he experiences daily, underscoring the disconnect between the series’ hopeful arc and his perpetual mourning for his son.
The online promotion of the series drew criticism from Tom Straschnitzki, whose son Ryan was severely injured in the Humboldt Broncos tragedy, highlighting the raw emotions evoked by the show’s premise resembling real-life events.
As public reactions oscillate between accusations of exploitation and artistic license, cultural commentator Craig Silliphant noted the story’s poignant resonance within the hockey community. Speculation abounds regarding the series’ treatment of sensitive themes, with questions raised about its handling of trauma and whether it will offer a respectful portrayal of the devastating incident.
With the production company remaining tight-lipped about the project, uncertainties persist about the show’s approach to storytelling and the extent of its sensitivity to the profound loss experienced by the Humboldt community.