Families who lost loved ones in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash are voicing anger and distress over Netflix's upcoming series, "The Sticks," which they believe exploits their tragedy. Netflix, however, maintains the series is fictional and not based on any real-life event.
Scott Thomas, whose 18-year-old son Evan was among the 16 people killed when the junior hockey team's bus collided with a semi-trailer in Saskatchewan, Canada, stated that the parallels between the real event and the show's premise are too strong to ignore. The series centers on a small-town Minnesota hockey team devastated by a bus crash that kills several players and the coach, with the coach's widow tasked with rebuilding the team and helping the town overcome grief.
"There is no triumph in any of this. And there never will be," Thomas told the Daily Mail. He learned about "The Sticks" earlier this year and found numerous similarities that he believes suggest inspiration from the Humboldt tragedy, despite Netflix's denial. "Unless you've completely had your head buried in the sand for the last eight years… there's no way people at Netflix didn't know about this, or at least someone in their chain of command must've noticed the similarities," he said.
Thomas expressed disappointment, stating, "I'm under no illusion that some big American conglomerate gives a rat's a** about these Canadian families."
He acknowledges that Netflix does not need permission to tell a fictional story resembling real events, as the Humboldt crash was a public tragedy. However, he questions why the families were not consulted or warned about the show. Thomas is particularly concerned that "The Sticks" might present a sanitized or uplifting narrative of grief that does not reflect the ongoing reality for the survivors and families.
"If anybody watches this show and draws any parallels to Humboldt at all and says, 'Oh, that's okay, everybody's fine now,' well, we're not," Thomas stated. "And we never will be. If you're going to tell the story, tell the real story. Don't switch the premise halfway through and create something about this team rising from the ashes like a phoenix… because that's just a complete departure from reality."
Other Humboldt families have echoed Thomas's sentiments. Michelle Straschnitzki, whose son Ryan was paralyzed in the crash, told Global News Canada that the premise appeared to "sensationalize" the event and warned that "it was not their story to tell." Her husband, Tom, accused Netflix of taking advantage of the families' grief, while Tyler Cameron, whose son Graysen survived with a broken back, called the news of the series "hurtful" and triggering.
Thomas fears that "The Sticks" could go beyond upsetting families and survivors, potentially retraumatizing them. He expressed concern for Christina Haugan, whose husband, coach Darcy Haugan, was killed in the crash, noting that the fictional coach's widow plays a central role in the show. "My goodness, how's Christina going to feel about that? I worry for Christina," he said.
Thomas differentiates between revisiting tragedy truthfully and reinventing its aftermath. He believes in moving forward after loss but rejects the idea that grief is ever fully conquered or transformed into triumph. "You don't move on, you never move on, but you do have to move forward… to find a way to exist because the sun keeps rising," he reflected.
While open to a call from Netflix, Thomas does not expect one and feels an apology would not undo the hurt. He discourages people from watching the series, hoping that a lack of viewership might signal to Netflix that they made a mistake. "I don't think they can put this genie back in the bottle. But I would encourage people not to watch it," he urged.
Since losing his son, Thomas has focused on preserving Evan's memory, supporting scholarships for young athletes, and donating to organizations that aided the victims. He wants Evan to be remembered not just as a victim, but as a bright, loving individual who cherished being part of a team. "It's tragic for the families and for the boys and staff who lost their lives, and it's tragic for the ones who survived and now have to live this reality for the rest of their lives," Thomas said. "There's no triumphs here. None whatsoever."