(Image Credit: Contributed / Global)

By Marty Hastings

Remembering Casorso, Wright, Fine

Kamloops hockey community in mourning: ‘Hug your parents and tell your buddies you love them’

Feb 3, 2026 | 5:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Storm forward Luca D’Amore sent his buddy Cam Casorso a text after hearing Southern Alberta Mustangs teammates were involved in a highway crash on Monday (Feb. 2) near Stavely, Alta. 

He never heard back. 

“It was before they announced who it was,” D’Amore said. “And then when the news came out about who it was… it’s tough to explain. You take it for granted, the relationships, talking to this guy. It kind of makes you want to hug your parents and tell your buddies that you love them.” 

Casorso and JJ Wright, both 18 and from Kamloops, and 17-year-old Caden Fine of Birmingham, Alabama, were killed in the collision. 

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The air was thick with sorrow on Tuesday at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, home of the Storm and Kamloops Minor Hockey Association. 

Casorso and Wright had ties to both organizations. 

“KMHA is a massive family in the City of Kamloops,” said Rob Fryer, ice scheduler for the association. “I coached JJ a couple of times. Just a great kid. His dad was his No. 1 fan. Lots of energy. Well-liked by his teammates. It’s tough.” 

The Storm have eight players from Kamloops on their roster, each of them similar in age to Casorso and Wright. Shared grief is permeating the dressing room. 

D’Amore played hockey with Wright when they were kids and was close friends with Casorso — high school buddies. 

“He was a guy who always had a smile on his face,” D’Amore said. “He was always laughing, joking. We’re going to be getting some helmet stickers, with the [Mustangs] team logo and the guys’ numbers on them. We’ll be wearing those for the rest of the year.” 

Noah Paulsen has memories of Casorso that date back to elementary school and include snapshots of unforgettable days at the lake. 

“It was devastating,” Paulsen said. “It’s hard to think about. It’s hard to process someone being gone. It’s really sad. I feel for the families and everyone close to them — immensely. They had a great kid and I feel so sorry for them that they have to lose him this early because they don’t deserve that. 

“When he was on this earth, he was just a joy to be around.” 

Prime Minister Mark Carney, NHL clubs and local junior teams have joined the anguished choir, offering whatever measure of consolation they can through messages of support. 

“The Canucks posted and I believe it was Toronto and Calgary had that moment of silence,” D’Amore said. “He [Casorso] would be just absolutely over the moon for that. He loved hockey. Junior hockey was his dream. He was doing what he loved.” 

Fryer said the KMHA will hand out commemorative helmet stickers to its under-18 age group, small tokens of solace for beloved hockey family. 

“I’m sorry and if I saw Chris right now, JJ’s dad, I’d just give him a big hug,” Fryer said.