Mustangs' Heartbreak: Memorial Game Honors 3 Young Lives Lost!

A hush fell over the Stavely arena Sunday night, broken only by the scrape of skates and the occasional cheer – a bittersweet soundscape for a memorial game honoring three young Hockey players whose lives were tragically cut short last week. The Southern Alberta Mustangs, a junior team reeling from unimaginable loss, took to the ice for the first time since the devastating accident that claimed the lives of teammates JJ Wright, Cameron Casorso, and Caden Fine.

Mustangs' Heartbreak: Memorial Game Honors 3 Young...

The three teenagers, Wright and Casorso, both 18 and from Kamloops, B.C., and Fine, 17, from Alabama, were on their way to practice last Monday when their vehicle collided with a semi-truck near Stavely. The news sent shockwaves through the small community and the wider Hockey world. I can only imagine the heartbreak felt by their families and teammates. These kids were just starting out.

“We honor our boys by doing what they loved,” Mustangs owner Lisa May said, her voice thick with emotion. "Before we even asked the question, our players were begging to go back on the ice." May added a raw honesty, acknowledging the difficulty ahead for the team, but emphasizing the importance of returning to the rink. "This is going to be a rough one for them, but the most important to me is that I need to get them on the ice because if I don’t, my fear is that they will never go back on the ice.” It's a sentiment that resonates; sometimes, the only way to heal is to face the pain head-on, together.

The memorial game, a match against the Stavely Spurs Alumni, wasn't just about hockey; it was about remembrance, about community, and about supporting those left behind. Proceeds from the game will go towards funeral expenses and providing support to the grieving families and teammates. It was the first in a series of fundraisers planned to honor the young men. The Stavely arena was packed, a testament to the profound impact these young athletes had on those around them.

The Mustangs have been sharing heartfelt tributes to JJ, Cameron, and Caden in the days leading up to the game, offering glimpses into their personalities beyond the ice. Forward Tyson Tozer, who billeted all three players, described Casorso as the "light of the team." Others remembered JJ as the quieter one, but with a voice that commanded attention when he chose to use it. These were more than just teammates; they were brothers. That bond, forged in the heat of competition and the shared experiences of life, is now being tested in the most profound way imaginable.

Despite the grief, the team is determined to honor their fallen brothers. "It’s definitely not going to be easy, but I think we’re all going to decide to stick it out for the three because they were brothers," said defenseman Taydon Perkins. “We’re close and it really hurts when we’re not out there, so we’re going to stick it out.” The families of Wright and Fine were also present, overwhelmed by the support from the hockey community and the towns of Stavely and Nanton. Chris Wright, JJ's father, said his family travelled from Kamloops immediately after the crash and had stayed since, drawing strength from the community. The support continues for the Wright, Casorso, and Fine families.