Tragic Crash Claims Lives of Three Junior Hockey Players in Canada

Three junior hockey players lost their lives in a devastating vehicle collision on March 25, 2024, while en route to practice with the Southern Alberta Mustangs in Canada. The crash occurred when a semi-truck pulling gravel collided with their passenger vehicle at an intersection, as confirmed by Corporal Gina Slaney of the Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Among the deceased was Caden Fine, a 17-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama. He was traveling with two Canadian teammates, Cameron Casorso and JJ Wright, both 18 years old and from British Columbia. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. “Unfortunately, all three occupants of the passenger vehicle, two 18-year-old male residents of Kamloops, B.C., and a 17-year-old Alabama resident, were declared deceased at the scene,” Slaney stated in an email to CBS News.

The driver of the semi-truck, a 40-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is currently underway.

Community Mourns the Loss

The Southern Alberta Mustangs expressed their profound grief in a statement, saying, “There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief. 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.”

Fine’s journey in hockey began in 2020, and he played for the Birmingham Jr. Bulls Hockey team from 2021 to 2023. The Bulls acknowledged Fine’s commitment to the sport, stating that he had joined the Southern Alberta Mustangs for the 2025-2026 season. In their statement, they noted, “This is a heartbreaking day for our entire hockey community. We extend our deepest condolences to Caden’s family, friends, and teammates during this unimaginable time. Once a Jr Bull, always a Jr Bull.”

A GoFundMe page created to support Fine’s family has raised over $10,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, reflecting the outpouring of support from the community.

Condolences from Leaders and Previous Incidents

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered his condolences to the families affected, saying, “Canadians are keeping the entire Southern Alberta Mustangs community in our thoughts as they face this unimaginable grief.”

This tragic incident echoes previous accidents involving junior hockey players in Canada. In December 2023, several players aged 15 to 19 were injured when a bus transporting a junior team was involved in a collision in Alberta. Earlier, in 2018, a bus crash in Saskatchewan resulted in the deaths of 15 people, including the son of a former NHL player, highlighting the ongoing safety concerns surrounding junior hockey travel.

As the hockey community comes to terms with this tragedy, the focus remains on supporting the families and friends of those lost. The legacy of Caden Fine, Cameron Casorso, and JJ Wright will undoubtedly resonate within the communities they represented.