Southern Alberta Mustangs Players Die En Route to Practice in Stavely Accident

 STAVELY, AB — The tight‑knit hockey community in Southern Alberta is grieving after a devastating crash claimed the lives of three junior players from the Southern Alberta Mustangs on Monday morning.

The collision occurred around 11 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 2 and 55th Avenue in Stavely, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Authorities said a small passenger vehicle carrying the players was traveling east when it collided with a northbound semi‑truck hauling gravel. The impact was catastrophic, leaving three young athletes dead at the scene.

The victims were identified as JJ Wright and Cameron Casorso, both 18 and from Kamloops, British Columbia, and Caden Fine, 17, of Birmingham, Alabama. All three were members of the Mustangs, a team competing in the U.S. Premier Hockey League’s Premier Division. The truck driver, a 40‑year‑old Stavely resident, sustained minor injuries and was treated on site.

The Mustangs confirmed the deaths in a heartfelt Facebook statement, describing the players as “teammates, sons, brothers, friends” and asking for privacy as families and teammates process the tragedy. At the town’s arena, white and red jerseys bearing their names were draped over a table alongside hockey sticks, a poignant tribute to the young men whose lives ended far too soon.

In the wake of the crash, the team announced that its next scheduled game on February 8 in Priddis against the Calgary Bandits has been cancelled. Instead, a charity game will be held Sunday to honor the players and raise support for their families. Organizers expect a strong turnout from the local hockey community, which has already begun rallying around the Mustangs.

The tragedy has reverberated across Alberta and beyond. Premier Danielle Smith offered condolences on social media, writing that the “whole Alberta hockey family is standing with you in sorrow and prayer.” The Calgary Flames also expressed support, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who knew them.” Messages of sympathy have poured in from across Canada and the United States, underscoring the far‑reaching bonds of the hockey world.

Friends and teammates remembered Wright, Casorso, and Fine as passionate athletes who loved the game and brought energy to the ice. Coaches praised their dedication, noting that their commitment to practice and teamwork reflected the values of the Mustangs organization. For families, the loss is immeasurable, cutting short promising futures filled with potential both on and off the rink.

The RCMP continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash, including road conditions and visibility at the time of the collision. While no charges have been announced, officials emphasized the importance of caution at rural intersections where heavy truck traffic is common.

As Stavely and the wider hockey community mourn, the focus remains on honoring the lives of Wright, Casorso, and Fine. Vigils and memorials are expected in the coming days, offering opportunities for teammates, friends, and supporters to gather in remembrance.

For the Mustangs, the tragedy is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of community in times of loss. Though the team faces an unimaginable void, the outpouring of love and solidarity ensures that the memory of these three young men will endure.

More US Obituary

1. Who Was Danielle Renea Clark? Keokuk Community Mourns Sudden Loss

2. Chloe Bishop, 17, Killed in Ashwaubenon Drunk Driving Crash; Father Injured