Saturday marks the first anniversary of the horrific crash that killed 16 people and injured 13 on the Humboldt Broncos teams bus. This will likely open up old wounds and bring back some unwanted feelings.

The community is home to about six-thousand people and along Main Street, reminders of the tragedy are everywhere.

"Prayers for Humboldt'' and "Humboldt Strong'' stickers are in storefronts and rear windows of vehicles. Even the fire hydrants, with the team's signature green-and-yellow stripes, are painted to look like Broncos players.

For family and friends of those who were directly affected by the crash, this weekend will be one that will once again stir up emotions that are connected with hurt and loss.

Bob Smiciklas, registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, nationally certified counsellor and licensed minister says, anniversaries are like sign posts.

"If you've ever driven on a long stretch of highway, when you see a sign it tells you where you're at, it also tells you maybe where you've come from and where you're going. It kinda gives you a relative position along the journey," Smiciklas explained. "I think in the whole experience of grieving and trying to kind of heal, regroup and find a new normal, anniversaries are dates that kind of trigger us to reflect again. When we reflect it stirs up the emotions that are connected with that hurt and loss"

Locals in the small Saskatchewan community say while the pain is still there, the tragedy has brought people together. That can be felt most at the junior hockey teams games. A year after the tragedy games continue to sell out.

"With the Humboldt tragedy we got kids that are athletes and they are going from one event to another. How many parents, families, kids have done that?," said Smiciklas. "The circumstances around that tragedy was something that many people could identify with. It just seemed to connect and resonate on just such a heartfelt level that people were just drawn and couldn't help themselves but feel the loss and grief and mourn with those families. Also to support them and be by their sides."

The crash happened last April 6th, when a semi-truck failed to stop at a rural intersection and the two vehicles collided -- killing 16 and injuring 13 others.

A memorial service has been planned at the Elgar Petersen arena this weekend. Around three thousand people are expected to attend including friends, family and some of the survivors of the crash.