Mounties say their initial investigation shows speed was a factor in a crash that killed three teenage hockey players in Surrey, B.C.
In a news release, police say investigators have found that the car was travelling at a speed "significantly greater" than the posted limit.
Emergency services personnel were called out early Saturday after a car hit a tree.
Officials have said all three of the car's occupants died at the scene.
The NHL and hockey teams, including the Humboldt Broncos, offered their condolences to the families of the three junior players.
The league identified the players in a social media post as Caleb Reimer, Ronin Sharma and Parker Magnuson.
The Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League said Reimer, who was 16, was one of several young breakout players on the team's roster during their 2020-21 Central Division Championship season.
The Langley Rivermen of the British Columbia Hockey League confirmed that Sharma, who was also 16, died in the crash.
The Delta Hockey Academy, which offers programs in Metro Vancouver that combine hockey and school, said in a statement that three student-athletes with the academy had died.