Southern Alberta Mustangs to Honor Fallen Teammates with Memorial Game
This weekend, the Southern Alberta Mustangs will take the ice under the heaviest of hearts. The junior hockey team is set to play a memorial game on Sunday night in Stavely, Alberta, honoring three of its players who tragically lost their lives in a highway crash earlier this week.
The Mustangs will face off against the Stavely Spurs Alumni team in what’s become more than just a game - it’s a tribute, a fundraiser, and a moment for a grieving hockey community to come together.
JJ Wright and Cameron Casorso, both 18 and from Kamloops, B.C., along with 17-year-old Caden Fine from Alabama, were on their way to a Mustangs practice when their vehicle collided with a semi truck hauling gravel while crossing a highway. All three young men were members of the Mustangs, who compete in the U.S. Premier Hockey League’s Premier Division.
The impact of their loss has rippled far beyond the rink.
In Alabama, where Fine was connected to the University of Alabama’s men’s hockey program - known as the Alabama Frozen Tide - the team is stepping up. Nearly two dozen specialty jerseys are being auctioned off, with proceeds going directly to support Fine’s family. A portion of ticket sales from the Frozen Tide’s Saturday game will also be donated.
“We’re really hoping to maximize that amount of money that we can get to Caden’s family to help relieve any financial burden that they may be facing right now,” said Savannah Rumsey, general manager of the University of Alabama’s team.
Back in Alberta, the Cremona Coyotes - a senior hockey team where Wright played a preseason game last fall - announced that ticket sales from their next home game will be donated to the families of all three Mustangs players.
The generosity hasn’t stopped there. A GoFundMe campaign supporting the families was nearing its $50,000 goal by midweek, showing just how quickly the hockey world mobilizes in times of tragedy.
And it’s not just local teams stepping up. The Mustangs received video messages from members of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, a gesture that deeply moved the team.
“The Oilers took time to send personal messages to our team, reminding our players, families, staff and community that the hockey world stands together - especially in moments like these,” the Mustangs wrote in a Facebook post. “Their words mean more than we can ever fully express, and we are beyond grateful for their compassion and support.”
The crash has also prompted a closer look at the intersection where it occurred. Alberta’s transportation ministry has confirmed a review is underway - standard procedure in the wake of a fatal collision. Officials will examine traffic and collision data, lighting conditions, and other safety factors to determine if any improvements are necessary.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and we want to extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected,” the ministry said in a statement. “Above all, our focus remains on safety and on ensuring we learn everything we can from this tragic event.”
The RCMP’s initial investigation suggests the crash was not criminal in nature, though a full report may take months to complete. The driver of the semi truck sustained minor injuries.
Cpl. Gina Slaney noted that another fatal crash occurred at the same intersection in September - also involving a vehicle attempting to cross the divided highway.
Jen Handley, mayor of nearby Nanton - where many Mustangs players live with billet families - spoke to a reality familiar to rural communities across Canada: highway crossings like this one are part of daily life.
As the Mustangs prepare for Sunday’s game, the scoreboard will matter a little less. What will matter is the names on the backs of the jerseys, the memories shared, and the unity of a hockey community rallying around its own.