The hockey world is mourning after three junior hockey players were killed in a motor vehicle accident on Monday.
The victims have been identified as 18-year-old goalie Cameron Casorso and 18-year-old forward JJ Wright, both from Kamloops, B.C., and 17-year-old centre Caden Fine from Birmingham, Ala.
The three were all players with the Southern Alberta Mustangs junior hockey team, and they were headed to practice in Stavely, Alta. when the vehicle they were in collided with a semi-truck carrying gravel, RCMP said.
RCMP are continuing to investigate the collision, which occurred at the intersection of Highway 2 and 55 Avenue, at the north entrance to Stavely. The semi was northbound on Highway 2, while the car carrying the players was travelling eastbound at the intersection, Mounties said in a release.
The driver of the semi-truck, a 40-year-old man from Stavely, Alta., sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene by paramedics.
The Mustangs took to their social media to release a statement on the tragedy.
“There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief,” the team wrote.
“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 news quickly spread through the hockey community and across Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, “My heart breaks for the families of the three young hockey players killed in a car accident near Stavely, Alberta. Canadians are keeping the entire Southern Alberta Mustangs community in our thoughts as they face this unimaginable grief.”
Kamloops Minor Hockey Association also issued a statement, as Casoro and Wright were products of the association.
“Cameron and JJ grew up in our association, spending many years as part of the KMHA family. JJ played in KMHA from 2011 to 2025, and Cameron from 2012 to 2025.” The organization said “Although their journeys began here in Kamloops, they found a second hockey family and a new bond with the Southern Alberta Mustangs. We stand in solidarity with the Mustangs organization as they navigate this devastating tragedy.”
Tributes continue to pour in from across the hockey world as the Southern Alberta Mustangs and the wider community mourn the loss of three young athletes.