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Humboldt Broncos add 10 players through league dispersal draft

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Reactions from all over the hockey world as it mourns the lives lost in the Humboldt Broncos tragedy.

The rebuilding of the Humboldt Broncos continues.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s board of governors voted unanimously on Monday to send 10 players from around the league to the Broncos through a dispersal draft. Sixteen players and staff were killed and 13 others were injured as the team traveled to Nipawin, Sask. for a playoff game following the April 6 bus crash.

The crash is still under investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Because of a Flin Flon Bombers trade with Humboldt, they were exempt from sending a player. The Estevan Bruins could send one or two players to the Broncos in the near future.

“Just being able to put that jersey on will be one of the biggest moments of my life,” said Ahmed Ally, who was one of the 10 players selected in the dispersal draft. "[We’ll] try to represent Humboldt as good as the guys before did and I think that’s our main goal — just keep the legacy going and do everything for them.”

In late May, after announcing the team would return next season, the Broncos invited 80 players to a training camp in hopes of finding new players. Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock and Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar were on hand to assist.

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign started by a Humboldt resident ended in early April after raising over $15 million to help the families of victims and survivors. Donations have continued, however, and the number is now over $19 million, according to Broncos president Kevin Garinger.

As the hockey world continued to send its support, the Broncos also opened a search for a new head coach and general manager, replacing the late Darcy Haugan, who was named one of three finalists for the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. Washington Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson, a Saskatoon native and Stanley Cup champion, said that he plans to to have the team play a part in his day with the Cup.

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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.