Tragedy struck a junior hockey team in Alberta on Monday when three of its members were killed in a car accident while en route to practice. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 2 and 55 Avenue in Stavely, a town located approximately 100 kilometers south of Calgary. Emergency crews rushed to the scene following reports of a two-vehicle collision.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a semi-truck carrying gravel was traveling northbound on Highway 2 when it collided with a small passenger vehicle that was heading eastbound on 55 Avenue. The result of the collision was devastating, as all three occupants of the passenger vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims included two 18-year-old boys from Kamloops and a 17-year-old from Alabama. Their identities have been confirmed as JJ Wright, Cameron Casorso, and Caden Fine. Meanwhile, the driver of the semi-truck, a 40-year-old resident of Stavely, sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.
The Southern Alberta Mustangs, the junior hockey team to which the three young players belonged, released a heartfelt statement on social media confirming the tragic deaths. In their post, they emphasized that the trio was “more than hockey players; they were teammates, sons, brothers, friends, and deeply loved members of our Mustang family.” This sentiment reflects the tight-knit community of the team and the profound impact of this loss.
Alberta's Premier, Danielle Smith, offered her condolences, describing the event as an “unimaginable loss” for the families involved. In her public statement, she expressed the collective sorrow of the Alberta hockey community, stating, “The whole Alberta hockey family is standing with you in sorrow and in prayer.” She assured the affected families and the team that they would receive love and support during this tragic time, underscoring the strength of community ties in the face of such adversity.
The Mustangs organization is currently collaborating with authorities as the investigation into the cause of the crash continues. They have requested privacy from the public and the media to allow families and teammates to process their grief and navigate through the sudden and tragic loss they have experienced.
As a junior team that plays in the Canadian division of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), the Southern Alberta Mustangs have players from various regions, including several from the Calgary area, which contributes to the team’s diverse roster. The harsh realities of such accidents highlight the fragility of life and the deep camaraderie shared in sports, especially within youth hockey communities.
