Two Quebec hockey players testify to the turbulence in the skies of Los Angeles

Two Quebec players from the Kings’ farm club felt the turbulence caused by the Los Angeles fires yesterday while flying over the fire zone.

“It was pretty impressive,” says Shawn Element, a Reign forward from Ontario, an American city that shares the same name as the Canadian province.

The attacker from Victoriaville, who has lived in the suburbs of Los Angeles for four months, was not directly affected by the fire currently ravaging California. But he clearly felt its effects at altitude when the plane transporting his team between two rinks was shaken by severe turbulence.

“Now is not the time to go visit Hollywood,” he warns.

Considerate pilot

“Before flying over the fires, the pilot warned the passengers that the upcoming turbulence would be caused by the fires that we could see through the windows,” explains his teammate Angus Booth, a Montrealer who also signed with the American League team at the start of this season.

Both players understand the decision to cancel the game between the home team and the Calgary Flames on Wednesday evening.

“People who have to travel downtown should not put their safety at risk,” comments Shawn.

Convinced hockey player

Authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 30,000 people in the Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon and Pasadena neighborhoods due to the rapidly advancing flames and strong winds. But Quebec hockey players are convinced they will be spared.

“For the moment, we have no worrying information about our neighborhood, Hermosa Beach, and I have reassured my family on this subject,” adds Booth.

Located 30 kilometers southwest of downtown, Hermosa Beach welcomes several hockey players from Quebec.

– With the collaboration of Mylène Richard