‘A lot that goes through your mind:’ Tyler Smith reflects on fifth anniversary of crash

Tyler Smith finds it tough to believe it’s been five years since the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

“Five years, man. It’s wild,” the former Broncos player said.

“It’s kind of tough to put into words. Everybody tells you life goes fast and everything and now understanding that it’s five years since that day, I think it’s hard to just fathom it’s been that long.

“It’s bizarre, man. There’s a lot that goes through your mind – a lot of good, but also a lot of pain and putting yourself in those shoes again.”

On April 6, 2018, the Broncos were on their way to an SJHL playoff game in Nipawin when their bus collided with a semi at an intersection of two highways near Tisdale.

Sixteen people on the bus died as a result of the collision and 13 others were injured.

Smith was one of those who suffered major injuries.

He suffered a stroke and also was diagnosed with a punctured lung, two broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade and a broken collarbone.

The crash also left him with nerve damage in his left arm.

Smith says he doesn’t remember anything from the day the crash happened, but notes his mental recovery has been a day-to-day type of thing.

He’s fully recovered physically and is now able to go about his life just like any regular 24-year-old.

“For the recovery process, I’m very happy where I’m at. I don’t know how the future is going to look, whether it be the stroke or nerve damage, but for now I’m still blessed to be able to do the things I love,” Smith said.

“I think a major part for me is still being able to swing the sticks (golf clubs) in the summer and get on the ice a couple times a week during the winter. That’s something I still value and something that’s helped me mentally.

“Mentally it’s a process, it’s a journey and it’s something now that I appreciate is going to be something I’ll forever have to deal with. It’s not just going to go away and there’s not going to be an end date I have to be fully healed by.

“I think I go back to that one day at a time and I’m constantly learning and I’m a big believer of connection and relationships and conversations. I’ve learned so much just from connecting with strangers over grief, trauma or mental health.”

Since the crash, Smith has graduated from NAIT’s Radio and Television Arts program, has moved from his parents’ place in Leduc, Alta., to Calgary, and just recently has started a public speaking career.

He says he decided to get into public speaking as a way to represent and remember those lost in the crash.

“I’m just blessed to be able to hopefully share my story and create some sort of impact. I think it even goes back to the families for me. People just need to know they’re not alone,” Smith said. “I hope in some way I can help create that impact.

“Even though I’m a public speaker, I hate talking about myself. It’s a unique thing that I never thought I’d be doing, but it’s something I’m blessed to be able to do and to do it in honour of the 16 amazing souls we lost that day but are still with us.”

His public speaking has taken him to various places throughout Canada where he has spoken to a wide range of different audiences – from schoolkids to adults all the way to seniors.

He says so far he’s enjoyed the experience.

“It’s been really amazing and profound in a lot of ways. I love the public speaking aspect of it, but I really do enjoy the connection afterwards,” he said.

“When somebody opens up to me about their own journey and when I can connect with an 80-year-old man on grief after he just lost his wife to cancer, I never thought I’d be connecting with an individual like that who lived a whole life, but it’s profound and beautiful in a weird way.”

Smith doesn’t know how long he’ll continue his public speaking, but says he’s going to take things by the day.

With Thursday marking the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, Smith says he’s not planning on doing anything publicly to remember that dark day, but rather something more private.

“I might just connect with one of the other guys, but I’m happy it’s Masters weekend. I probably won’t have a lot of energy to do a lot of anything else, so I’m happy just to watch golf all weekend and think about (the Broncos),” he explained.

“(I’ll) think about the memories and the love we shared, think about Darcy (Haugen, the Broncos’ head coach who died in the crash) and the community. There’s so many things that will run through our minds that day, but it’s a testament to that group and the foundation of pure love for each other and pure love for the game.”

Smith said the surviving Broncos players try to keep in touch with each other, but mentioned it has become harder to do as everyone is out in the world figuring out what’s next for them.

Away from public speaking, Smith is also the co-host of the Speak Your Mind podcast, which is focused on creating an environment to foster meaningful conversations around mental health. Former NHLer Riley Sheahan is also a part of the podcast.

Smith’s also an ambassador for KidSport Alberta, which helps families facing financial obstacles, and he created the Not Alone clothing brand, which donates money raised towards mental health awareness.