Families Impacted by Humboldt Broncos Tragedy Criticize Netflix’s Upcoming Drama ‘The Sticks’

Concerns Over Exploitation

Netflix’s forthcoming hockey drama, The Sticks, has ignited significant backlash from families affected by the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. The tragedy, which resulted in the loss of 16 lives, continues to be a deeply sensitive subject, and many feel the series mirrors their own painful experiences too closely.

Scott Thomas, a Saskatchewan father who lost his son, Evan, in the accident, expressed his disdain for the premise in an earlier interview. He stated, “From what I’m assuming, where they’re going with this is: bus crashes, hockey players die, wife picks up the team and brings them back to glory. And in the end, everybody’s happy. That’s just complete trash. That’s not what happened to us. At all.”

Netflix’s Stance vs. Public Perception

The controversy reignited this week following the release of behind-the-scenes promotional material for the show, which is slated for a 2027 release. Despite the public outcry, Netflix has previously maintained that the project is a work of fiction. According to a statement provided to The Canadian Press, the company asserted that the series is “fictional and not inspired by any real-life event.”

The official logline for the series describes a narrative set in South Dorothy, Minnesota, where a “tragic loss knocks the legs out from under the high school’s legendary team.” The plot follows a widow who takes over as coach, navigating a season of grief and recovery.

Voices of the Affected

The sentiment of dissatisfaction is shared by other families. Michelle Straschnitzki, whose son Ryan was paralyzed in the collision, believes the show relies on the sensationalization of real trauma. “It does seem to sensationalize our own tragedy, but in a truly Hollywood fashion, they’re making it about them — their heartbreak, their loss, their rebuild,” Straschnitzki noted.

She further criticized the motivations behind the production, labeling the attempt to frame the story as entirely fictional as “garbage,” given the global awareness of the Humboldt Broncos incident. For these families, the line between coincidental storytelling and the exploitation of a widely known tragedy remains razor-thin.