Ellen DeGeneres pays tribute to Humboldt Broncos crash victims at Calgary event

Ellen DeGeneres began a speaking engagement in Calgary on Saturday night by carrying a hockey stick on stage to pay tribute to the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

After kissing it in front of a cheering and packed crowd of about 15,000 people at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the popular talk-show host placed it alongside a number of others standing on a rack in the back corner of the stage.

Sixteen people died as a result of the April 6 collision involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team's bus and a semi-truck near Tisdale, Sask.

The event drew attention from around the world, and sparked supporters to leave hockey sticks outside in tribute. #PutYourStickOut displays were seen across North America.

It also led to a massive GoFundMe campaign — the largest in Canadian history — which raised more than $15M in 12 days for victims' families and expenses.

Video posted on social media, including on DeGeneres​'s account, captured the moment.

"My heart breaks for everyone," she told the crowd. "It hurt all of us."

DeGeneres, who was among the many high-profile figures to tweet about the crash after it occurred, was in Calgary for a moderated Q&A discussion called A Conversation with Ellen DeGeneres.