‘The Logan Effect:’ SI cover, documentary honour fallen Bronco

A month before the one-year anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, Sports Illustrated is honouring one of the inspirational stories that came from the tragedy.

The magazine’s latest cover features Logan Boulet’s jersey draped over a hockey net in an empty arena with a stick by its side. Along with the cover, a documentary was released on YouTube which delves into the story of Boulet and how his decision to become an organ donor inspired thousands of Canadians to do the same.

“When there’s tragedies, we always try to look for the light in these dark times,” said Mary Agnant, who directed “The Logan Effect.”

Boulet was one of the 16 people killed in the bus crash. On his 21st birthday, just a little over a month before the crash, he signed his organ donor card.

When Canadians heard about that after the crash, about 100,000 went out and signed their own just as Boulet had done.

“This is obviously an incredibly tragic accident for a country, but for people to right away see him and see the good that could kind of come out of it (was impressive),” Agnant said.

“I was also inspired by the fact he was only 21 years old and made this decision at such a young age to become an organ donor. You don’t see that a lot with really young people.”

She was also inspired by Boulet’s parents, Bernadine and Toby.

“I just thought these were really strong people that, in such a dark time for them, they were able to respect their son’s wishes and see them through because they saw the greater good of helping people who could benefit from his organs,” Agnant said.

During filming, she spent time in Lethbridge, Alta., where she spoke to the Boulet family about six months after the crash. While the interview was a sad one because the emotion of the crash was still raw, Agnant said there were some inspiring moments as well.

“As one of the subjects in the documentary said, ‘This is something that’s the worst day of your life but there’s some sort of catharsis knowing you can turn this tragedy into something that could help other people,’ ” she said.

Agnant said the family spoke about how Logan’s decision to become an organ donor gave them 27 extra hours with their son.

“They got to be there with him in his last moments,” Agnant said.

Agnant’s filming eventually led her to Humboldt, a community still in mourning but one that is rallying around the current group of Broncos players.

Agnant said she had heard that people flocked to the rink immediately after the crash.

“It’s sort of like they didn’t know where else to go,” she said. “That’s where their instinct told them to go and I think that’s still the case.

“A lot of people, that’s how they are dealing with the tragedy is just they go to the rink every Friday night and sometimes other nights during the week to watch these games. It’s where they find peace and solace.”

She said there are still memories everywhere in the city, with Humboldt Strong banners, posters and ribbons still prevalent.

“This is something that I don’t know this community will ever forget and I hope they don’t,” Agnant said.