Stavely and Surrounding Communities Mourn Death of Three Southern Alberta Mustangs
Disbelief and profound grief have swept through the tight-knit community of Stavely, Alberta, and neighbouring towns following the tragic deaths of three junior hockey players in a highway collision. The incident occurred on Monday, February 2, 2026, as the teens were traveling to a team practice.
A Memorial Grows Outside the Local Arena
Outside the entrance to Stavely Arena, a heartfelt memorial has been established to honour each of the three Southern Alberta Mustangs who lost their lives. The tribute includes photos, jerseys, candles, hockey sticks, and flowers, allowing community members and visitors to pay their respects to the young athletes.
The small southern Alberta town, located approximately 200 kilometres south of Calgary, is grappling with the devastating loss. The collision happened at the intersection of Highway 2 and 55th Avenue at the north end of Stavely, when the vehicle carrying the teenagers collided with a semi-truck hauling gravel.
Identifying the Victims and Community Impact
The three teenagers were identified as 18-year-olds Cameron Casorso and JJ Wright, both originally from Kamloops, British Columbia, and 17-year-old Caden Fine from Birmingham, Alabama. All three were declared dead at the scene of the accident.
Dale Ohler, a member of the local agricultural society that owns and operates the arena, expressed the community's shock and sorrow. "They just can't believe this has happened," he said on Tuesday. "It's just a terrible intersection out there. We've lost other people to it, but this is just such another big blow to our community."
Ohler highlighted how the Mustangs had become an integral part of the community, using the community hall for dryland training and engaging in exercises with local seniors. "They fit right in," he remarked, underscoring the deep connections formed between the players and residents.
Official Statements of Condolence and Support
Stavely's mayor and council issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing that they were "deeply saddened" by the tragedy. The statement read, "This devastating loss has profoundly impacted our community and surrounding area, the hockey community, and all who knew these remarkable individuals. These young men were not just hockey players, but an important part of the fabric of our community, contributing through their character, their friendships, and the promise they carried into the future."
The Town of Stavely extended its condolences to the families, billet families, friends, teammates, coaches, and all those grieving during this difficult time. "Our community stands with you in sorrow and support. In the days ahead, may you find strength in one another and comfort in the compassion of those around you. We mourn together, and we will remember them together," the statement concluded.
The Mustangs Family and Neighbouring Communities Grieve
The Southern Alberta Mustangs hockey club, based in Stavely, released a statement emphasizing that the team is a family, and on Tuesday, that family was hurting. "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," the club said.
The tragedy has also resonated deeply in neighbouring communities. Nanton Mayor Jennifer Handley noted that the teens lived in her town, located north of Stavely, and that several families, including her own, billet players from the team. This highlights the widespread impact of the loss across the region, as these young athletes were woven into the social fabric of multiple communities.
As Stavely and the surrounding areas come to terms with this heartbreaking event, the focus remains on supporting the grieving families and honouring the memories of Cameron Casorso, JJ Wright, and Caden Fine, whose lives were cut short far too soon.
