NATHAN REITER SOUTHERN ALBERTA NEWSPAPERS
Madi Dozeman, Mak Dozeman, Jennie McMasters, Morgan Dozeman and John Dozeman spoke to the media at Stavely Arena on Sunday night. The Dozeman family were the billets for the three players who passed away in a car accident near Stavely last week.
The house that was once full of boisterous energy has now gone eerily silent.
Eighteen year olds Cameron Casorso, JJ Wright and 17-year-old Caden Fine were the three Southern Alberta Mustangs players who lost their lives in a car accident near Stavely on Feb. 2. Casorso and Wright are from Kamloops, B.C. while Fine is from Birmingham, Ala.
The Dozeman family were the billet hosts for all three players. It was the first year that the Dozemans had welcomed billets into their home.
The family spoke to reporters at the Stavely Arena on Sunday accompanied by fellow billet host Jennie McMasters.
John Dozeman says the family had opened their house to guests before, but hosting hockey players was a very different experience.
“We’ve hosted so many exchange students over the years that you only thought it won’t be any different,” Dozeman said. “Boy, were we wrong (but) in a good way, though.”
In the days since the accident, there has been plenty of public support for the Mustangs. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta premier Danielle Smith both issued statements offering their support for the team. The Mustangs have also received messages from several NHL players including Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Flames and Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers.
John says he is thankful for the messages and gestures of support they have received in the days following the incident.
“The amount of support that we’ve received from the community and being a billet family has just been completely overwhelming. It’s a lot,” Dozeman said. “We’re very thankful for all the support, the love, the hugs, the messages, everything that everybody has done. The cards, flowers, food, just for all of us.”
Initially, Wright was going to be the only billet for the Dozemans but things don’t always go to plan. Shortly after, the family took in Casorso, Fine and Tyson Tozer.
Morgan Dozeman says it didn’t take long for Wright to make himself feel at home.
“JJ’s our OG, we called him the OG. He moved in first and that’s all we thought that we were gonna host this year,” Morgan said. “Then a whirlwind happened and we ended up with three more. Cam, Bama (Caden Fine), and Tyson Tozer came to us kind of all at once. My house was turned upside down.
“I was trying to get rooms ready, order beds. JJ, he was comfortable right off the bat. It was like he moved in and he was so comfortable and just made the house his own. He took four hour baths and he fell asleep in the bathtub.”
Although the time she lived with the boys was short, Mak Dozeman says she was grateful to form a sibling type bond with each of them.
“I remember when JJ first got to the house, we bonded quite quickly. We went downstairs and we played pool for hours on end and it was great,” Mak said. “I’ve never had a brother before and it was fantastic having these boys in the house. It’s a brotherly sisterly relationship and even with the hockey team, that’s why I love spending time with all of these boys is that they always pick on me and they remind me of the three boys.”
There were plenty of fun stories shared about the players, from their affinity for Taco Tuesdays which happened at either the Dozeman or McMasters household, the many holes in the wall in the basement from the hours of mini sticks that were played and the unbelievable amount of chocolate milk consumed.
When asked about each of the players individually, Morgan says each brought something different to the table.
“JJ was kind, always willing to help and so funny and loud. Bama (Fine) lit up every room that he walked in,” Morgan said. “I remember one night we went to bed and they weren’t home yet. All you could hear was Bama. He had that southern charm, ‘yes ma’am and no ma’am.’ He’d get serious, but then he was oh so funny. Cam was our responsible one and took care of everybody. He wasn’t the oldest, but he was the big brother. He always makes sure everybody’s up and ready to go to practice.”
Despite the Mustangs and the hockey community being affected by the accident, the truck driver is also local to the community.
John says he was devastated when he heard the news of who was behind the wheel.
“It’s touched the whole community, but the driver as well is local, and it just has such a huge impact on just everything around here.,” John said. “It wasn’t until later on that a few days had passed before I realized who the other people involved in the wreck were and it’s just heart wrenching. I know the driver and I’ve worked with them in the past.”
Morgan shared John’s sentiment saying they are also ready to support the driver through the difficult time.
“Our hearts go to him and his family as well, and the company. I hope that they know that they can reach out for help as well.”
