Ellen DeGeneres pays tribute to Humboldt Broncos crash victims at Calgary event
Popular talk show host said: 'My heart breaks for everyone, it hurt all of us'

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.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheEllenShow</a> greets tthe crowd by kissing a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> hockey stick as she comes on stage at the Saddldome <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/humboldtstong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#humboldtstong</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/humboldtbroncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#humboldtbroncos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLFlames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLFlames</a> @unNHL <a href="https://twitter.com/calgaryherald?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@calgaryherald</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/calgarysun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@calgarysun</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EllenInCalgary?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EllenInCalgary</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elleninyyc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#elleninyyc</a> <a href="https://t.co/lM1JmQ5E8J">pic.twitter.com/lM1JmQ5E8J</a>
—@JimWellsphoto
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.
Thank you, Calgary. <a href="https://t.co/pJqBwHCDxU">pic.twitter.com/pJqBwHCDxU</a>
—@TheEllenShow
This started the tears and they haven't stopped. I đź’š <a href="https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheEllenShow</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/humboldtstong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#humboldtstong</a> <a href="https://t.co/aORgbRdTaL">pic.twitter.com/aORgbRdTaL</a>
—@TerriSewell1