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Humboldt Broncos forward Brayden Camrud commits to NCAA D-1 program

Ailish Forfar
·NHL Editor
Humboldt Broncos forward Brayden Camrud battles in front of net.
Humboldt Broncos forward Brayden Camrud battles in front of net.

Brayden Camrud, a Humboldt bus survivor who returned to play for the Broncos this season, has committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage Sea Wolves for his university career.

The Saskatoon native netted 55 points in 48 regular season games and added an additional 12 in the Broncos’ playoff run, which ended in the first round after a Game 7 overtime loss to the Estevan Bruins.

The 20-year-old was joined by teammate Derek Patter as an assistant captain on the Broncos this season after both survived the horrific accident last April that killed 16 people. Camrud suffered a severe concussion and other minor injuries in the crash.

Teammate Tyler Smith also re-joined the Broncos this season and played 10 games before he had to step away to allow for more recovery.

Camrud will follow in the footsteps of many of his teammates from the Humboldt crash who have continued their hockey careers in university leagues.

Kaleb Dahlgren committed to York University, joining the alma matter of Broncos late coach Mark Cross. He’s still unable to play due to the effects of a severe brain injury, but has dedicated himself to volunteering, recently winning a Canadian Volunteer Award in the Emerging Leader category.

Bryce Fiske and Matthieu Gomercic both accepted offers to play for the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks last season where they made their rookie debuts.

Nick Shumlanski took his hockey talents out east, lacing up for the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers. After scoring his first USports goal, he pointed to the sky in tribute to his fallen teammates.

Ryan Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, has set his sights on the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, hoping to represent Team Canada with the National Men’s Sledge Hockey team.

Teammate Jacob Wassermann joined Straschnitzki for an exhibition sledge hockey game at the University of Denver this fall.

For the 13 survivors of the Humboldt Broncos crash, most are keeping the sport as present in their lives as possible. For those players who have not recovered as rapidly, they’ve maintained their love of hockey through coaching, like Xavier LaBelle who has become a hockey operations assistant and an assistant coach with two Saskatoon teams.

It’s inspiring and humbling to see the immense efforts each one of the Humboldt Broncos have taken to be involved with the sport they love after such events.