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Alberta junior hockey the team returned to the ice Sunday night for the first time since losing their teammates in a fatal crash on February 2nd.
The Southern Alberta Mustangs hosted a memorial game against the Stavely Spurs Alumni team in honor of JJ Wright and Cameron Casors, both 18, of Kamloops, BC, and Caden Fine, 17, of Alabama.
The three hockey players were on their way to practice last Monday morning when the vehicle they were traveling in collided with a semi truck hauling gravel at the intersection of Highway 2 and 55th Avenue, the northern entrance to Stavely. Three teenagers died on the spot.
“We’re honoring our guys by doing what they loved, and before we even asked the question, our players were begging to get back on the ice,” said Mustang owner Lisa May.
“This is going to be tough for them, but the most important thing for me is to get them out on the ice because if I don’t, I’m afraid they’ll never get back on the ice.”
The memorial game was the first of several fundraisers held in honor of the players, with proceeds going towards funeral expenses and support for their teammates and families.
“We will travel to all the funerals, including Alabama,” May said. “We’re going to hold our memorial here, so we’re going to cover the cost of that. And make sure our players get time to grieve, and they don’t have to worry about paying their fees next season.”
Ahead of Sunday night’s game, the Mustangs looked back fondly on the teenagers, sharing some insight into their very different personalities.
Striker Tyson Tozer was a brother to all three. He describes Casorsa as “the light of the team”.
“He brought joy, motivation, energy to every game,” Tozer said. “I shared a room with Caden and not a day went by that I didn’t have a smile on my face because of that kid.”
Defense attorney Taydon Perkins says Casorso was quiet and smart.
“He’s very well-rounded, you needed him to do something, he did it, he’s like an amazing kid, and I’ll always remember him for that,” Perkins said.
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Defense attorney Kayne Anderson remembers Wright as the quieter of the three.
“JJ was more of a shy guy in the room, but when he wanted to be heard, he was heard,” Anderson said.
Getting back on the ice may have been tough for the Mustangs, but the team was met with an outpouring of support at Stavely Arena, with hundreds in attendance for Sunday night’s game.
“It’s definitely not going to be easy, but I think we’re all going to choose to stick it out for the three of them because they were brothers,” Perkins said. “We’re close and it really hurts when we’re not out, so we’ll hold on.”
“I’m excited to go represent them and show that we’re going to go play hockey for them,” Tozer said.
The Wright and Fine families were present at the game and echoed the players’ sentiments.
“I am overwhelmed by the support and thoughts and prayers of so many people, but especially the hockey community, and especially this Mustangs team and the communities of Stavely and Nanton,” said Wright’s father, Chris Wright.
“It’s been amazing. It feels like a warm hug to be here in a horrible, horrible time.”
Chris Wright says he and his family traveled to Stavely from Kamloops the day after the crash and haven’t returned home since.
“Part of me can’t wait to get home, and part of me is honestly scared to go home because we can feel it here and I know we’ll feel it at home, but it would be hard to walk away from this, honestly,” Wright said.
Fine’s father, Daniel Fine, traveled to Stavely from Birmingham, Ala.
“Everyone out there, the love and support has been amazing. It’s just amazing. It’s a good overwhelm, but it’s amazing. Everyone we’ve come in contact with has been so nice and supportive,” said Daniel Fine.
“I’m going to miss seeing my son on the ice.”
The match started with a memorial mass for three players. Their teammates put their jerseys, gloves and helmets in their places on the ice.
The fathers of Wright and Fine stood in their sons’ places during the ceremonial puck drop after a moment of silence in the arena.
The memorial game ended with a victory for the Mustangs, who beat the Spurs 9-6.
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