Latest news with #Straschnitzki
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ryan Straschnitzki's first pitch at Blue Jays game recalls Humboldt tragedy
Humboldt Bronco crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki (Credit: Getty Image) When Ryan Straschnitzki rolled onto the field at Rogers Centre. It wasn't just about baseball, the former junior hockey player, now paralyzed from the chest down. Also delivered the ceremonial first pitch. Before a packed Toronto Blue Jays crowd, and the moment held more than symbolic value. As it reflected years of personal transformation since the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. From junior hockey to Paralympic dreams New TV series on AMI to feature Ryan Straschnitzki Since the accident, he has focused on adaptive sports. He trained intensely in sled hockey and wheelchair basketball, as his goal is clear: to represent Canada at the 2028 Paralympic Games, that determination has kept him moving, both physically and mentally. The first pitch wasn't just about baseball. It represented the distance he's traveled; from despair to competitive hope. A national spotlight on personal strength Humboldt Bronco crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki (Credit: Getty Image) Straschnitzki's return to the public eye isn't limited to the pitcher's mound. His visit to Toronto also marks the release of a new TV series, We Were Broncos. The show recounts the aftermath of the Humboldt tragedy, focusing on personal recovery and rebuilding identity. Turning tragedy into purpose and legacy Straschnitzki doesn't shy away from what happened. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo But he doesn't let it define him either. His life now centers on pushing boundaries; those of physical limits, public perception, and personal expectations. He trains, speaks, and now, appears in media that reshapes how tragedies are remembered. Read more: Mock draft sparks surprise with Anton Frondell to Blackhawks Ryan Straschnitzki's first pitch at the Blue Jays game was more than a ceremonial act, it was a reminder of how resilience can take root in the darkest places. His continued pursuit of sport, storytelling, and purpose underscores a vital truth, recovery is ongoing. But so is strength, and his story is still unfolding, and it's one Canada continues to follow closely. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Toronto Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
'Beyond the crash': TV series on paralyzed Humboldt Bronco player set to air
Published May 18, 2025 • 2 minute read Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki tosses a basketball in Airdrie, Alta., Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Photo by Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press AIRDRIE — Ryan Straschnitzki's life has been an open book since he was seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, and his story is soon to be shown on TV. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 26-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018, when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus in rural Saskatchewan. Sixteen people died and 13 were hurt. A film crew with Regina-based Prairie Cat Productions followed Straschnitzki for eight months and created a six-part series called 'We Were Broncos.' It airs on AMI, or Accessible Media Inc., beginning May 26. Straschnitzki played on Alberta's para hockey team and had been training with the Paralympic development team, but his journey ended at the Team Canada Olympic tryouts. In July 2023, he decided to try to make the 2028 Paralympic basketball squad. The move caught the attention of Lucas Frison, founder of Prairie Cat, who had completed a documentary for CBC on the Bronco team in the season after the crash. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Looking back, seeing some of the footage and where I was to where I am now is a real eye opener. I think I've changed a lot as a person,' Straschnitzki told The Canadian Press while shooting hoops at an outdoor court in Airdrie. 'I think at the beginning of the basketball season I kind of doubted myself a little bit. By the end of the season I was a lot more confident in myself and realized I have the ability to make it where I want to make it, if I put the work in.' Straschnitzki has been playing on a Calgary wheelchair basketball team and was invited to his first camp in July for Team Canada. Frison, the producer and director for 'We Were Broncos,' was a close friend of Mark Cross, an assistant coach of the Broncos who died in the crash. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Frison said it's rewarding to tell Straschnitzki's story. 'I've got to know him a lot over this last year, and he's just a fun, positive person to be around.' In the series, Ryan talks about being recognized and approached by people on the street about the crash and his survival, said Frison. 'He understands. He's OK with that. But he also wants to be known for other things, like his pursuit of wheelchair basketball and making the Canadian Paralympic Team for the 2028 Paralympics. He wants to be known for his Straz Strong charity that he started and some of these things that were beyond the crash.' Straschnitzki is set to be in Toronto this week promoting the series. 'I think a lot of people know the story of Humboldt and what happened. But I think a lot of people don't really know my story … my perspective and where I'm at now,' he said. 'I think it will open a lot of eyes and hopefully people get insight into what my life looks like.' Frison and Straschnitzki both said they hope there will be a second season. Straschnitzki admitted he hasn't seen the finished product. 'I hate watching myself on camera and hearing myself, so I don't know what to expect,' he said with a laugh. 'I just hope the audience likes it and it turns out well, then we'll see what happens from there.' Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Sports Sunshine Girls World
Global News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
‘Beyond the crash': TV series on paralyzed Humboldt Bronco player set to air
Ryan Straschnitzki's life has been an open book since he was seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, and his story is soon to be shown on TV. The 26-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018, when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus in rural Saskatchewan. Sixteen people died and 13 were hurt. A film crew with Regina-based Prairie Cat Productions followed Straschnitzki for eight months and created a six-part series called 'We Were Broncos.' It airs on AMI, or Accessible Media Inc., beginning May 26. Straschnitzki played on Alberta's para hockey team and had been training with the Paralympic development team, but his journey ended at the Team Canada Olympic tryouts. In July 2023, he decided to try to make the 2028 Paralympic basketball squad. Story continues below advertisement The move caught the attention of Lucas Frison, founder of Prairie Cat, who had completed a documentary for CBC on the Bronco team in the season after the crash. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Looking back, seeing some of the footage and where I was to where I am now is a real eye opener. I think I've changed a lot as a person,' Straschnitzki told The Canadian Press while shooting hoops at an outdoor court in Airdrie. 'I think at the beginning of the basketball season I kind of doubted myself a little bit. By the end of the season I was a lot more confident in myself and realized I have the ability to make it where I want to make it, if I put the work in.' Straschnitzki has been playing on a Calgary wheelchair basketball team and was invited to his first camp in July for Team Canada. Frison, the producer and director for 'We Were Broncos,' was a close friend of Mark Cross, an assistant coach of the Broncos who died in the crash. Frison said it's rewarding to tell Straschnitzki's story. 'I've got to know him a lot over this last year, and he's just a fun, positive person to be around.' In the series, Ryan talks about being recognized and approached by people on the street about the crash and his survival, said Frison. Story continues below advertisement 'He understands. He's OK with that. But he also wants to be known for other things, like his pursuit of wheelchair basketball and making the Canadian Paralympic Team for the 2028 Paralympics. He wants to be known for his Straz Strong charity that he started and some of these things that were beyond the crash.' Straschnitzki is set to be in Toronto this week promoting the series. 'I think a lot of people know the story of Humboldt and what happened. But I think a lot of people don't really know my story … my perspective and where I'm at now,' he said. 'I think it will open a lot of eyes and hopefully people get insight into what my life looks like.' Frison and Straschnitzki both said they hope there will be a second season. Straschnitzki admitted he hasn't seen the finished product. 'I hate watching myself on camera and hearing myself, so I don't know what to expect,' he said with a laugh. 'I just hope the audience likes it and it turns out well, then we'll see what happens from there.'
Hamilton Spectator
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Beyond the crash': TV series on paralyzed Humboldt Bronco player set to air
AIRDRIE - Ryan Straschnitzki's life has been an open book since he was seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, and his story is soon to be shown on TV. The 26-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018, when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus in rural Saskatchewan. Sixteen people died and 13 were hurt. A film crew with Regina-based Prairie Cat Productions followed Straschnitzki for eight months and created a six-part series called 'We Were Broncos.' It airs on AMI, or Accessible Media Inc., beginning May 26. Straschnitzki played on Alberta's para hockey team and had been training with the Paralympic development team, but his journey ended at the Team Canada Olympic tryouts. In July 2023, he decided to try to make the 2028 Paralympic basketball squad. The move caught the attention of Lucas Frison, founder of Prairie Cat, who had completed a documentary for CBC on the Bronco team in the season after the crash. 'Looking back, seeing some of the footage and where I was to where I am now is a real eye opener. I think I've changed a lot as a person,' Straschnitzki told The Canadian Press while shooting hoops at an outdoor court in Airdrie. 'I think at the beginning of the basketball season I kind of doubted myself a little bit. By the end of the season I was a lot more confident in myself and realized I have the ability to make it where I want to make it, if I put the work in.' Straschnitzki has been playing on a Calgary wheelchair basketball team and was invited to his first camp in July for Team Canada. Frison, the producer and director for 'We Were Broncos,' was a close friend of Mark Cross, an assistant coach of the Broncos who died in the crash. Frison said it's rewarding to tell Straschnitzki's story. 'I've got to know him a lot over this last year, and he's just a fun, positive person to be around.' In the series, Ryan talks about being recognized and approached by people on the street about the crash and his survival, said Frison. 'He understands. He's OK with that. But he also wants to be known for other things, like his pursuit of wheelchair basketball and making the Canadian Paralympic Team for the 2028 Paralympics. He wants to be known for his Straz Strong charity that he started and some of these things that were beyond the crash.' Straschnitzki is set to be in Toronto this week promoting the series. 'I think a lot of people know the story of Humboldt and what happened. But I think a lot of people don't really know my story ... my perspective and where I'm at now,' he said. 'I think it will open a lot of eyes and hopefully people get insight into what my life looks like.' Frison and Straschnitzki both said they hope there will be a second season. Straschnitzki admitted he hasn't seen the finished product. 'I hate watching myself on camera and hearing myself, so I don't know what to expect,' he said with a laugh. 'I just hope the audience likes it and it turns out well, then we'll see what happens from there.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Beyond the crash': TV series on paralyzed Humboldt Bronco player set to air
AIRDRIE – Ryan Straschnitzki's life has been an open book since he was seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, and his story is soon to be shown on TV. The 26-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018, when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus in rural Saskatchewan. Sixteen people died and 13 were hurt. A film crew with Regina-based Prairie Cat Productions followed Straschnitzki for eight months and created a six-part series called 'We Were Broncos.' It airs on AMI, or Accessible Media Inc., beginning May 26. Straschnitzki played on Alberta's para hockey team and had been training with the Paralympic development team, but his journey ended at the Team Canada Olympic tryouts. In July 2023, he decided to try to make the 2028 Paralympic basketball squad. The move caught the attention of Lucas Frison, founder of Prairie Cat, who had completed a documentary for CBC on the Bronco team in the season after the crash. 'Looking back, seeing some of the footage and where I was to where I am now is a real eye opener. I think I've changed a lot as a person,' Straschnitzki told The Canadian Press while shooting hoops at an outdoor court in Airdrie. 'I think at the beginning of the basketball season I kind of doubted myself a little bit. By the end of the season I was a lot more confident in myself and realized I have the ability to make it where I want to make it, if I put the work in.' Straschnitzki has been playing on a Calgary wheelchair basketball team and was invited to his first camp in July for Team Canada. Frison, the producer and director for 'We Were Broncos,' was a close friend of Mark Cross, an assistant coach of the Broncos who died in the crash. Frison said it's rewarding to tell Straschnitzki's story. 'I've got to know him a lot over this last year, and he's just a fun, positive person to be around.' In the series, Ryan talks about being recognized and approached by people on the street about the crash and his survival, said Frison. 'He understands. He's OK with that. But he also wants to be known for other things, like his pursuit of wheelchair basketball and making the Canadian Paralympic Team for the 2028 Paralympics. He wants to be known for his Straz Strong charity that he started and some of these things that were beyond the crash.' Straschnitzki is set to be in Toronto this week promoting the series. 'I think a lot of people know the story of Humboldt and what happened. But I think a lot of people don't really know my story … my perspective and where I'm at now,' he said. 'I think it will open a lot of eyes and hopefully people get insight into what my life looks like.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Frison and Straschnitzki both said they hope there will be a second season. Straschnitzki admitted he hasn't seen the finished product. 'I hate watching myself on camera and hearing myself, so I don't know what to expect,' he said with a laugh. 'I just hope the audience likes it and it turns out well, then we'll see what happens from there.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025.
