Southern Alberta Mustangs mourn players killed on way to practice

The Southern Alberta Mustangs say three of their players were killed Monday in a vehicle crash while traveling to practice in southern Alberta.

In a Facebook post, the team said it is working closely with authorities and providing support to players, staff, and families.

“There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief,” the Mustangs said.

“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.”

RCMP said officers responded Monday morning to a collision at an intersection with Highway 2 in the town of Stavely, about an hour south of Calgary.

The crash involved a northbound semi truck hauling gravel and a small passenger vehicle traveling east.

Mounties said two 18-year-old men from Kamloops, BC, and a 17-year-old from Alabama were killed.

The semi driver, a 40-year-old man from Stavely, suffered minor injuries.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith offered condolences in a social media post to the families and teammates of JJ Wright, Cameron Casorso, and Caden Fine.

“The whole Alberta hockey family is standing with you in sorrow and in prayer,” Smith said.

“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.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was heartbroken after the incident: “Canadians are keeping the entire Southern Alberta Mustangs community in our thoughts as they face this unimaginable grief,” he said on social media.