Humboldt bobsledder chasing Olympic dream to honour friends who couldn’t

Luke Puto, a Saskatchewan athlete, is on the cusp of achieving his dream of bobsledding in the Olympics, a passion that was reignited in the aftermath of the tragic 2018 Humboldt Broncos crash. Puto, who hails from Humboldt, spent his teenage years playing hockey with dreams of making it to the NHL. However, he eventually realized that professional hockey wasn’t in the cards for him, leading him to believe that his sports career had come to an end.

The devastating Humboldt Broncos bus crash, which claimed the lives of 16 people including close friends of Puto, served as a turning point for him. The tragedy made him realize that there was something missing in his life, and that missing piece was sports. Puto found solace in sports as a coping mechanism during his childhood, and after the crash, he decided to get back into the gym to process his grief.

A pivotal moment for Puto came when he stumbled upon the remnants of his late friend Jacob Leicht’s dreams while cleaning out his room. Leicht had kept pamphlets for post-secondary schools and the RCMP training program, indicating his aspirations for the future. This discovery inspired Puto to reevaluate his own life and pursue his passion for sports once again.

After completing a business degree and moving to Calgary for work, Puto found himself in close proximity to one of the few bobsledding tracks in Canada. Intrigued by the sport, he began training at the Calgary facility and eventually landed a spot on the national development team as a brakeman. Puto described bobsledding as an adrenaline-fueled sport that combines elements of a roller-coaster, waterslide, and turbulent airplane ride.

Now, Puto is gearing up to compete in his first World Cup bobsledding events in Europe in January, a significant milestone in his career. If his team performs well at these events, they could qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Puto credits Lyndon Rush, a former Olympic bobsleigh medallist and Saskatchewan native, for guiding him through his bobsledding journey.

As Puto prepares for the challenges of the World Cup, he hopes that his story can inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how big or small. He encourages people to keep an open mind, work hard, and seize opportunities as they arise. Puto’s journey from tragedy to triumph serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit.