Karen Doerksen and family welcomed by HarbourCats, July 19-20

June 12, 2019

VICTORIA, B.C. — It will be an emotional night to remember, and a night to show our collective love and support.

The Victoria HarbourCats and The Wilson’s Group of Companies have made arrangements to welcome Karen Doerksen and her family to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP.

Karen’s husband Glen Doerksen was the operator of the motorcoach on April 6, 2018, when the catastrophic crash happened involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team. The driver of the other vehicle, a transport truck, was found fully at fault as 16 of the 29 people on the hockey team bus perished.

Thanks to partnerships with Flight Centre, Wilson’s Transportation, and Westin Bear Mountain Resort, and with support from WestJet, Karen will be visiting Victoria with her daughter Melissa, son Cameron and daughter-in-law Brittany, for games July 19 and 20, when the Yakima Valley Pippins are at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP.

“This was a tragic event that touched the hearts of all Canadians, and indeed people around the world,” said John Wilson, Vice President-Business of the HarbourCats, one of the team’s four owners. “We all gasped when we heard that terrible news, and the horror that followed with the disastrous details. We’ve all, in our own way, shown our sympathies and support for the families and close friends. This is our way, as the HarbourCats, and as The Wilson’s Group, to show our love for one family that has been deeply impacted. We know Victoria will give them the special treatment that can help them take another step in their grieving and recovery.”

Glen, an avid golfer, visited Victoria in 2015 as part of a golfing excursion with a close friend, playing courses on the Island and on the Vancouver side. A touching part of Glen’s memorial was held on his favourite hole at his home golf course near Humboldt.

“I know how this impacted John and his people, and this was his idea to reach out to Karen and her family,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner/GM of the HarbourCats. “Getting other people to want to help out did not take long — everyone was touched by this, and wanted to take part. Karen has never been to Victoria before, so we’re going to make available many of our great options for them to enjoy, if they wish, including Hop-On/Hop-Off doubledeckers, a Tally-Ho Carriages ride through downtown, and other ideas.”

The family will be introduced on the field prior to the game on July 19, and will be able to take in the third HarbourCats fireworks game on July 20.