Moment of silence held for victims of Humboldt Broncos fatal bus crash before Winnipeg Jets game

Minutes before the Winnipeg Jets and the Chicago Blackhawks squared-off Saturday night, players from both teamsjoined fans in Winnipeg for a moment of silence to honour the victims of the Humboldt Broncosfatal bus crash.

Fifteen people were killed and 14injured after the Humboldt Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team's bus crashed with a semi-trailer north of Tisdale, Sask., about 200 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon Friday.

Fans at Bell MTS Place all stood and not a sound could be heard throughout the arena as players from both benches formed a circle at centre ice and stood with their heads down.

Players from each team stood staggered next to one another in the circle.

Before Saturday's game the Jets and the Blackhawks announced players from both teams would wear the word "Broncos" on the back of their jerseys during the game.

"In place of individual names, 'Broncos' is meant to symbolize the unity and support of our hockey communities coming together as one for the Humboldt Broncos' family, " read a release from the Jets.

Earlier in the day Jets' head coach Paul Maurice said all of the hockey world is in mourning.

"At all the rinks in Canada and the States, they'll be remembered tonight and certainly every day going forward," he told media.

"The game will not take centre stage. It won't. It will be played and that's it."

As well the Jets said all money raised by the 50/50 draw at the game would be donated to the Humboldt Broncos.

Additionally, the Jets, Blackhawksand the National Hockey League each donated $25,000 to the 50/50 draw in order to "sweeten the pot".

A Winnipeg player with the Humboldt Broncos,MatthieuGomercic, 20, survived the fatal crash, a close friend of the player's family confirmed to CBCNews.