Edmonton Oilers' star Connor McDavid says it was important to talk in person with the nine members of the Humboldt Broncos who are still in hospital after their horrifying bus crash.

He and Ryan O'Reilly of the Buffalo Sabres looked in on the injured players yesterday at Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital.

Chatting and joking with the players helped get their minds off their grief, McDavid said.

They also talked to students at two schools in Humboldt and visited the local arena to pay their respects to the 16 people killed in the April 6th bus-truck crash.

St. Dominic School principal Chad Knaus said the school was “blessed” to have the players drop by.

“Our students and staff were ecstatic by the surprise visit. Both were very gracious and brought a lot of joy to our building,” he said in an email to Bolt FM.