The Southern Alberta Mustangs say three of their players died in a car crash Monday while traveling to practice in southern Alberta.
In a Facebook post, the team said it is working closely with authorities and providing support to players, staff and families.
“There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief,” the Mustangs said.
“These young men were more than hockey players – they were teammates, sons, brothers, friends and much-loved members of our Mustangs family and the communities we call home.”
RCMP said officers responded to a collision Monday morning at an intersection with Highway 2 in the town of Stavely, about an hour south of Calgary.
The crash involved a northbound semi-truck hauling gravel and a small passenger vehicle traveling eastbound.
Mounties said two 18-year-old men from Kamloops, B.C., and a 17-year-old from Alabama were killed.
The semi driver, a 40-year-old man from Stavely, suffered minor injuries.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith offered condolences to the families and teammates of JJ Wright, Cameron Casorso and Caden Fine in a social media post.
“The entire Alberta hockey family stands with you in grief and prayers,” Smith said.
“I know Albertans will embrace these families and this team with love and support in the days ahead as they deal with a pain no one should ever have to endure.”
Premier Mark Carney said he was heartbroken after the incident: “Canadians are keeping the entire Southern Alberta Mustangs community in our thoughts as they face this unimaginable grief,” he said on social media.
