A junior hockey team in southern Alberta said its players, staff and families are grieving the loss of three players killed in a vehicle crash Monday, including two teens from B.C.
The Southern Alberta Mustangs Junior Hockey Club confirmed in a social media post the deaths of Cameron Casorso and JJ Wright, both 18 and from Kamloops, and 17-year-old Caden Fine from Birmingham, Ala.
“There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief,” the team said in a statement, adding the players were “deeply loved” in their communities.
The United States Premier Hockey League team said it is working closely with authorities and asked that players, staff and families be given privacy.
Claresholm RCMP said officers received a report at 11 a.m. Monday of a collision at an intersection near Stavely, Alta., about 110 kilometres south of Calgary.
Police said a semi-truck hauling gravel collided with a passenger vehicle carrying the three players. All three teens died at the scene. The 40-year-old male truck driver was treated for minor injuries.
RCMP said the investigation is ongoing.
“There are no words for this kind of pain,” said Southern Alberta Mustangs president and general manager Lisa May in a post shared by the team.
“As the owner of this team, I can say without hesitation — these boys were loved like my own. They weren’t just players. They were kids I worried about, checked in on, laughed with, and believed in deeply,” she said.
Casorso was the Mustang’s goalie, Wright was a left winger and Fine played centre.
Both Casorso and Wright previously played with the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association until last year.
“Their presence and impact will be remembered by teammates, coaches, and families throughout our community,” said the organization.
Canadian and B.C. leaders also paid tribute to the players.
“My heart breaks for the families of the three young hockey players killed in a car accident near Stavely, Alberta,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney in a social media post. “Canadians are keeping the entire Southern Alberta Mustangs community in our thoughts as they face this unimaginable grief.”
Premier David Eby said his heart is with the teens’ friends, families and teammates.
“JJ and Cameron were from Kamloops, and their loss is felt across our province. Young lives, taken far too soon,” Eby said.
Kamloops Centre MLA and former mayor Peter Milobar also expressed condolences to the families.
“We are holding you close in our thoughts during this difficult time,” Milobar said.
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