Two hospitalized, several injured after bus carrying junior hockey team crashes in Alberta

The Athabasca Rivermen Junior A Hockey Club bus was involved in a crash on the way to Crowsnest Pass on Friday. CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa has the latest

Several Athabasca Junior A hockey players were hurt in a crash on a snowy and icy highway in northern Alberta early Friday morning.

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The Athabasca Rivermen were supposed to play in Crowsnest Pass – a nearly 700-kilometre road trip – in southern Alberta this weekend.

The driver of their coach bus lost control and entered the ditch on Highway 2 around 8 a.m., according to RCMP.

Sixteen passengers were on board. Corp. Mathew Howell said at least one of the passengers was an adult, but did not know how many were players.

Two teens were taken to a hospital in Edmonton with injuries described as not life threatening.

Others reported minor injuries or soreness and were treated at the scene.

The bus came to a stop after crashing into trees.

“It’s one of those files where we count our blessings that no one was injured more, and that we were able to respond quick enough that there was no either hypothermia or any cold effect,” Howell told CTV News Edmonton.

Immediately upon hearing of the crash, his first thought was of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan, which killed 16 and injured 13 more.

“I think that’s in the back (of your) mind. Especially when you’re dealing with youth. Like, we’re talking about people on the bus anywhere between 15 and 19 years old. So yes, some technically adults – but even at 19, you’re just starting your adult life. So all that is definitely in the mind of everyone who responds to those scenes,” he said.

At the time of the crash, the temperature was about -37 C and highways in the area were partially covered by snow and ice.

“We don’t believe right now that speed is a factor, so they might have been driving to the conditions. And even with that, still lost control. So if they were driving at a higher rate of speed… that crash could have been a lot worse,” Howell said.

“Slowing down might not always avert an accident, but it will make it less likely (and) it (will) also make it less likely that that collision results in serious injuries or death.”

CTV News Edmonton has reached out to the Athabasca hockey club for comment.

The National Junior Hockey League said the health and well-being of those involved was its priority and would ensure supports are available to the club.

Athabasca is located 150 kilometres north of Edmonton.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa