Major Losses In Stavely

I have never been to Stavely, Alberta, but the town was shaken to its core tonight upon hearing the news that three young hockey players lost their lives today following an automobile accident. The three players from the Southern Alberta Mustangs were reportedly headed to practice when their small car collided with a truck carrying gravel at an intersection just outside of town on Highway 2. This is a heartbreaking moment for the town and the team, and I can't imagine the grief that is being suffered in the town of approximately 550 people and by the families of the three players. This is a tragedy and HBIC sends its deepest condolences to the players' families, friends, and teammates.

The three players - 18 year-old players JJ Wright and Cameron Casorso from Kamloops, BC, and 17 year-old player Caden Fine of Birmingham, Alabama - were pronounced dead on the scene following the accident. RCMP are still investigating what led to the collision, but the the driver of the truck, a 40-year-old man living in Stavely, was treated for minor injuries. I can't imagine what he's going through tonight, and my hope is he can find peace at some point.

The loss of the these three young men will undoubtedly ripple through the hockey community, and there have already been incredible gestures made as the Calgary Flames held a moment of silence in honour of these young men while Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement in finding out about this tragedy. We can talk about scores and stats all we want, but it's times like these where the humanity of the game comes through as the hockey community bands together to support one another in a time of need.

Mike Gilroy, a former player co-ordinator with the Mustangs, worked with the three players last summer, telling The Canadian Press, "They had the spark in their eyes and the fire in their hearts every day and enjoyed being a part of a team and took the time to put in the extra work to be successful.

"It is far too soon for young, talented people like this."

Gilroy's statement is entirely right as forward JJ Wright, goaltender Cameron Casorso, and centerman Caden Fine were just starting to find their stride in the United States Premier Hockey League with the Mustangs. The USPHL prides itself as a "top junior hockey level, with more than 1,000 alumni In college hockey every season" and these players looked like they were following that path before this tragedy. It's with a heavy heart that their stories come to an end today.

The Southern Alberta Mustangs issued the following statement today:

"It is with unimaginable heartbreak that we confirm three players from the Southern Alberta Mustangs were killed in a motor vehicle accident earlier today while travelling to team practice.

"There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief. 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.

"Our hearts are with the families, friends, billet families, teammates, coaches, and everyone who loved them. We ask that their families be given privacy and compassion as they navigate this devastating loss.

"The Southern Alberta Mustangs organization is working closely with authorities and will continue to support our players, staff, and families in every way possible during this incredibly difficult time.

"We are a family, and today our family is hurting."

Signed by team owners, I cannot even comprehend how difficult it would have been to compose that statement. Games will undoubtedly be put on hold as the Mustangs work through the grieving process, but I don't know how any team would regroup for games following a loss like this. They seem meaningless considering what has happened.

My thoughts are with the team, coaches, and families tonight in this unimaginable tragedy. I can't imagine the pain they're feeling, and I want to pass on my deepest condolences to all whose lives had been touched by these three men because they are gone far too soon.

Until next time, remember these three young men.