A hockey team in southern Alberta is mourning the loss of three of its players following a motor vehicle collision on Feb. 2, which took their lives.
In a statement to social media, the Southern Alberta Mustangs confirmed that three players were killed while travelling to a team practice.
“There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief,” states the social media message. “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 statement goes on to say that the team is working with authorities to support the players, staff and family members as they navigate the challenging time.
An RCMP release issued by the Claresholm detachment states that it responded to a collision between a semi-truck hauling gravel and a small passenger vehicle around 11 a.m.
The driver of the semi was treated for minor injuries, while all three occupants of the passenger vehicle were declared dead at the scene.
According to the release, the semi was travelling northbound on Highway 2 while the passenger vehicle was travelling eastbound at the intersection into the community of Stavely.
The occupants of the vehicle have been identified as 18-year-old J.J. Wright, of Kamloops, 18-year-old Cameron Casorso, of Kamloops and 17-year-old Caden Fine, of Alabama, U.S.
“Alberta is heartbroken at the loss of three young hockey players,” Premier Danielle Smith said on Facebook. “The whole Alberta hockey family is standing with you in sorrow and in prayer. Thank you as well to the first responders and medical teams who rushed to help. In the days ahead, I know Albertans will wrap these families and this team in love and support as they navigate a pain no one should ever have to bear.”
A member of the United States Premier Hockey League, the Southern Alberta Mustangs are one of six teams in Alberta, and part of a league featuring over 150 teams in multiple divisions across the United States.
The 2025-26 season is the first season for the Mustangs, having joined the USPHL last year.
Claresholm RCMP continues to investigate the collision.
–This story was updated to include the names of the players and Premier Smith’s comments.