By Dave Leaderhouse
The Humboldt Broncos were dealt another heartbreaking blow on the weekend when it was announced that long-time volunteer and supporter Elgar Petersen passed away at 82 years of age.
Petersen was synonymous with the Broncos ever since their inception in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League back in 1970. The club’s original equipment manager and trainer, Petersen did anything and everything he could for the team and for his efforts the city of Humboldt renamed its arena the Elgar Petersen Arena in 2000.
Born in Annaheim in 1936, Petersen moved to Humboldt with his family in 1962 and immediately became a fixture at the local arena. The affable Petersen spent countless hours helping minor hockey teams and when the Broncos were born he then added that club to his list of responsibilities.
Regardless of who was running the team, Petersen was included in the activities and from that continuity life-long friendships were formed. Countless former players, coaches, fans and volunteers regarded Petersen with utmost respect and appreciation and when asked to recount their experiences with the Broncos more often than not Elgar Petersen would be mentioned.
Petersen was inducted into the Humboldt Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. At the time of the arena being renamed in his honour the story goes that Petersen just wanted the game to begin so that all of the attention could be redirected from him. His humble heart and generosity will be missed by everyone.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League would like to pass on their condolences to the Petersen family and Broncos organization. It is because of people like Elgar Petersen that the SJHL is envied by everyone.
No date has been announced for a memorial, but it is certain to be a special time for so many.
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