As soon as news broke of the terrible accident involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team’s bus that took the lives of 15 people and injured many others in Canada last week, heartbreaking stories poured in on social media.
But almost immediately, an undercurrent of global love and support from the hockey community seemed to illuminate even the darkest moments.
Using the hashtags #HumboldtStrong and #SticksOutForHumboldt, fans, artists, current and former NHL players, and even professional clubs that might normally be adversaries on the ice have all expressed their heartfelt condolences and support for the fallen team members, staff, and their families on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Teams around the National Hockey League participated in tributes.
Artists, such as Silvia Pecota and Kerry MacGregor, have taken to Facebook and Instagram to express their feelings of loss through new works in honor of the fallen players and staff.
There’s also been praise for a bystander named Kelsey Fiddler, who witnessed the crash and called 911, which has been spreading on social media after a Tweet by a friend was posted earlier this week. She stayed with the victims to her own detriment; pregnant, she had to be hospitalized afterward because of the stress of the situation. (She was later released with her pregnancy in stable condition.)
Others are sharing more moving stories that have emerged, such as Ryan Straschnitzki, an 18-year-old defenseman for the Broncos, who survived the crash but was left paralyzed from the chest down. He reportedly told his parents that the injury won’t stop him from continuing his hockey career.
A GoFundMe page was created for the players and their families by the mother of a former Broncos teammate with an initial goal of $10,000. The fund has raised more than $9 million in donations as of this writing.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.