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A bus carrying a youth hockey team from the city of Athabasca lost control on a highway in northern Alberta and crashed into ditch in a densely wooded area early Friday morning.
RCMP responded to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 2, south of Athabasca, where they discovered several people on the bus had been injured. Two teenagers were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Several other people were injured, but no deaths were reported, police said.
The National Junior Hockey League (NHL) confirmed in a statement Friday afternoon that the Athabasca Rivermen Junior A hockey club, whose players range in age from 15 to 19, was on the bus.
Police said they believe the crash was caused by icy conditions on the road. Athabasca RCMP said drivers should be prepared to adjust to winter road conditions.
The NHL said the bus was taking the team to a game in Crowsnest Pass, Alta., located about 165 kilometers south of Calgary.
The league said it is in communication with the team and local authorities and intends to provide the necessary support to ensure the mental health and well-being of the team.
Athabasca is located approximately 150 kilometers north of Edmonton.
