It was an emotionally charged Sunday night in Stavely, Alta., as a community gathered to honour three junior hockey players killed in a highway collision last week. Families, teammates and friends of JJ Wright, Cameron Casorso and Caden Fine shared emotional memories ahead of a benefit hockey game. They visited the crash site, laying down flowers. Three wooden crosses, painted with the names of the Southern Alberta Mustangs players, now stand together along Highway 2 near Stavely. For Chris Wright, JJ’s father, the community’s embrace has been vital. “It feels like a warm hug to be here during an awful, awful time,” Wright said. He says in the wake of his son’s death, he understands why his son chose to make Stavely his home to pursue his hockey dreams. “Part of me is honestly afraid to go home because we can feel him here,” he said. On Sunday, a packed Stavely Arena watched as the Southern Alberta Mustangs took on the Stavely Spurs alumni team. Casorso’s jersey hung from the crossbar, while his goalie mask, gloves and stick were positioned at the net as if ready for the next shot. The sticks and gloves of Fine and Wright were laid out on the ice during a moment of silence before puck drop. “The boys are hurting, but they’re incredibly strong,” said Lisa May, owner of the Southern Alberta Mustangs. “We are taking things one day at a time to make sure they have the space and the support they need.” The three players were killed while travelling to practice—their vehicle collided with a gravel truck. RCMP have said the driver of the truck was not at fault. “There’s a local truck driver that is shattered as well,” said Jennie McMasters, a billet mother in the community. “They’re going to drive by that memorial every single day.” The Dozeman family, who served as billets, hosted all three players. “These boys were special to all of us,” she said. “And they will forever be remembered and loved by everyone,” said billet sister Mack Dozeman. Tyson Tozer, a Mustangs player and billet brother who shared a room with Fine, remembered his friend’s infectious personality. “There wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t have a smile on my face because of that kid,” Tozer said. Fine, who grew up in Alabama and began playing hockey at age nine, had several offers to play in the United States but chose to play in Stavely—nearly 3,700 kilometres away from home. “I’m going to miss seeing my son on the ice,” said Daniel Fine, Caden’s father. “He was the nicest kid off the ice. But when he stepped out, I mean, he was a beast. He wasn’t going to take anything from anybody, and if you messed with one of his buddies, he was going to let you know it.” The Mustangs are scheduled to resume their season this Saturday. A larger memorial for the three players is planned for a future date. Several ongoing fundraisers in both Canada and the U.S. have already raised tens of thousands of dollars to assist the families with funeral and travel arrangements.
