Alberta junior hockey players killed in crash while travelling to team practice

Three junior hockey players were killed in a vehicle collision at Stavely, Alta., late Monday morning.

Caden Fine, a 17-year-old centre with the Southern Alberta Mustangs, was in the car, along with left-winger JJ Wright and goalie Cameron Casorso, both 18 years old.

They were on their way to practice, according to the Mustangs.

Fine is from Birmingham, Ala.

Wright and Casorso are from Kamloops, B.C.

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Monday’s deadly crash happened around 11 a.m. at Highway 2 and 55 Avenue.

The crash was between a gravel truck and a smaller car.

Later on Monday, RCMP confirmed the fatalities.

“The driver of the semi, a 40-year-old male resident of Stavely, received minor injuries and was treated at the scene,” Mounties said.

“Unfortunately, all three occupants of the passenger vehicle, two 18-year-old male residents of Kamloops, B.C., and a 17-year-old Alabama, U.S.A, resident, were declared deceased at the scene.”

Fine’s sister, Audra Fine, said her family “is heartbroken.”

She said one thing she will remember her brother for is his humour.

She said he was “so funny” and “never serious about anything.”

The Southern Alberta Mustangs, based out of Stavely, posted about the fatal collision on X Monday.

“There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief,” the Mustangs said.

“These young men were more than hockey players—they were teammates, sons, brothers, friends and deeply loved members of our Mustangs family and the communities we call home.”

The Mustangs said they’re working closely with authorities and continuing to support players, staff and families during this “incredibly difficult time.”

“We are a family, and today our family is hurting,” it said.

After the Mustangs posted about their devastation, the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association echoed the sentiment.

“These three young men were teammates and friends to many,” the Kamloops group said.

“We are grieving together as one hockey family.”

The Humboldt Broncos out of Saskatchewan said, “There are no words—only heavy hearts.”

In 2018, 16 members of the Broncos were killed and 13 more were injured in a vehicle collision near Armley, Sask.

“The Humboldt Broncos extend our deepest condolences to the Southern Alberta Mustangs organization and to all those impacted by today’s tragedy,” the team said on X.

“We stand with you. We mourn with you. We are with you.”

In Medicine Hat, Alta., hockey sticks were left out on porches.

Monday evening on X, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith joined those offering condolences.

Tribute was also paid ahead of the Calgary Flames game Monday night.

Mounties offered their condolences to the families of the deceased.

Alberta 511 reported the crash had been cleared just after 4:30 p.m.

Investigation continues.

The town of Stavely is located roughly 85 kilometres south of Calgary and about 15 kilometres north of Claresholm.