Southern Alberta Mustangs to Play Memorial Hockey Game After Tragic Loss of Three Teammates
The Southern Alberta Mustangs junior hockey team will return to the ice this Sunday for a special charity game, marking their first time playing since three teammates were killed in a devastating highway collision earlier this week. The emotional event will take place at the Stavely Arena, where the team typically plays home games, with all proceeds going to support the families of the deceased players.
Tragic Accident Claims Three Young Lives
On Monday morning, three Mustangs players were traveling to practice when their vehicle collided with a semi-truck hauling gravel at the intersection of Highway 2 and 55 Avenue at the north entrance of Stavely. The victims included 18-year-old goalie Cameron Casorso and 18-year-old forward JJ Wright, both from Kamloops, British Columbia, along with 17-year-old centre Caden Fine from Birmingham, Alabama. All three teenagers were declared deceased at the scene of the accident.
The tragedy has left the entire hockey community in mourning, with teammates, coaches, and supporters struggling to process the sudden loss of these promising young athletes.
Community Comes Together for Healing Game
Organizers have planned a non-competitive charity game for Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Stavely Arena, where the Mustangs will face off against the Stavely Spurs alumni team. The original schedule had the Mustangs playing against the Calgary Bandits, but team members felt they were too emotionally overwhelmed for a serious competitive match.
"Our boys felt they were way too emotional still in order to play an important game," explained Megyn Perkins, a Red Deer resident whose son Taydon plays left wing for the Mustangs. "The alumni said they would love to come play against the boys to get them on the ice, doing what they love and not be a serious game."
Personal Connections and Memorial Tributes
For many players, the loss hits particularly close to home. Perkins revealed that Caden Fine was her son's best friend, and Taydon will wear Fine's jersey during Sunday's game as a special tribute. "We just want to show the boys that they are not alone, that everybody is thinking of them," Perkins emphasized.
Organizers expect the 700-seat Stavely Arena to be packed with supporters, creating what they hope will be a healing environment for the grieving team members. Some players are reportedly still struggling with the idea of returning to the ice, making this community support even more crucial.
Fundraising Efforts for Families
The charity game serves a dual purpose of emotional healing and practical support. Funds raised from Sunday's event will help cover travel expenses for players attending funerals and provide financial assistance to the families of the three deceased Mustangs.
"They need this closure," Perkins said regarding the team's need to attend memorial services. "We're trying to get them down to Alabama and Kamloops."
Community response has been overwhelming, with 14 donations coming in during just six hours on Wednesday alone. Raffle donations include numerous homemade items, and financial contributions continue to pour in from those wanting to help in any way possible.
Online Fundraising Success
Meanwhile, an online fundraising campaign established in memory of Wright, Fine, and Casorso has already raised an impressive $54,000 as of Friday. The GoFundMe page states: "On behalf of the coaches and owner, we want to help lift the financial burden of travel, funeral costs, and day-to-day expenses of the players' families from Canada and the United States."
The message continues with words of solidarity: "To the teammates, coaches, families, billet families, friends, owner, we mourn with you and are thinking about you during this difficult time."
This Sunday's game represents more than just hockey—it's a community coming together to support young athletes through unimaginable grief while honoring the memories of their fallen teammates.
