Sudden Death

by Culp, Leesa; Drinnan, Gregg; Wilkie, Bob; Costello, Brian

• ISBN13: 9781459705449
• ISBN10: 1459705440
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-10-09
• Publisher: Dundurn Pr Ltd

Summary

On December 30, 1986, the Swift Current Broncos set out for Regina to play the Pats. A few kilometres east of Swift Current, their bus left the highway and four players died in the crash. Two seasons later the Broncos won the 1989 Memorial Cup. Graham James, general manager and head coach, was the hottest thing in hockey. But few were aware of what was going on behind the scenes. In 1996, having moved on to the Calgary Hitmen, James was charged with sexual assault when Sheldon Kennedy, who had been in the crash and was part of the Memorial Cup-winning team, brought forth allegations. This book tells the stories of those involved in the crash, in the championship, and in all that followed.

Author Biography

Leesa Culp was one of the few witnesses to the Swift Current Broncos bus crash. She has been published by The Hockey News, the Penticton Herald, and the Sudbury Star. Gregg Drinnan has been a sports journalist for forty years and is the sports editor at the Kamloops Daily News. Bob Wilkie was a Swift Current Broncos defenceman from 1986 to 1989. Later he played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Table of Contents

Foreword: Brian Costello	p. 9
The Road Back	p. 13
The Crash	p. 24
The Broncos Come Home	p. 33
The RCMP Officer	p. 40
The Hospital	p. 46
Leesa's Ride	p. 53
The Invisible Goaltenders	p. 62
Sober's Story	p. 72
Saying Goodbye	p. 83
The Captain	p. 93
The Trainer	p. 100
The Uncle	p. 106
Just an Ordinary Joe	p. 112
The Coroner's Report	p. 117
Back on the Ice	p. 120
The 1989 Memorial Cup	p. 130
The Coach, Part 1	p. 146
The Coach, Part 2	p. 153
The Coach, Part 3	p. 161
Leaving Swift Current	p. 169
Where Are They Now?	p. 179
Statistics	p. 195
Acknowledgements	p. 203
Resources	p. 209
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.