A quiet Alberta highway turned into the scene of a parent’s worst nightmare on the morning of February 2, 2026, when three young hockey players from the Southern Alberta Mustangs died in a car crash while on their way to team practice. The Mustangs, a junior hockey team competing in the U.S. Premier Hockey League, lost forward Caden Fine, 17, and 18-year-olds JJ Wright and goaltender Cameron Casorso in the collision near the intersection of Highway 2 and 55 Avenue close to Stavely. According to the RCMP, the vehicle carrying the trio collided with a northbound gravel truck around 11 a.m., and all three passengers were pronounced dead at the scene; the truck driver suffered only minor injuries. Police have not yet released findings on what caused the crash and are asking the public to respect the ongoing investigation.
Fine, who came from Birmingham, Alabama, had crossed the border to chase his hockey dreams and was in his first season with the Mustangs. Wright and Casorso, both from Kamloops, British Columbia, grew up in the Kamloops minor hockey system and had joined the Mustangs for the 2025–26 season, excited about their future on the ice. Teammates and friends described them as passionate about the game and close with one another; their coach and billet families spoke of their smiles and the energy they brought every time they stepped into the rink. Camaraderie like that doesn’t just happen by chance, and people who knew the boys said they carried it off the ice as much as on it.
News of the crash rippled through the hockey community with shock and sadness. The Mustangs organization, grappling with “unimaginable heartbreak,” asked for privacy for the players’ families and thanked authorities and supporters for their compassion. Local hockey associations and even professional teams offered condolences, highlighting both the tight knit nature of the sport and the suddenness of the loss. Kamloops Minor Hockey Association noted that Wright and Casorso “grew up in our association” and “found a second hockey family” with the Mustangs, a sentiment echoed by rivals and allies alike.
Alberta’s premier shared her grief publicly, urging people to hold the families in their thoughts and support them however they can. Across social media, jerseys, sticks, and photos turned into impromptu memorials at arenas where the Mustangs played, reminding everyone that the impact of these young lives stretched far beyond a uniform. A planned fundraising effort has begun to help with expenses, but more than financial support, the players’ communities say they want lasting memories of three young athletes who loved hockey, their teammates, and the joyful noise of competition.
As investigators continue to examine the scene and piece together the cause of the collision, the Mustangs and their supporters face a difficult road ahead. The hockey world mourns with the families, honoring three lives cut far too short, and holds onto the belief that even out of tragedy, a community can find ways to remember, support, and heal.