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Colby Cave

Edmonton Oilers forward Colby Cave
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Oilers, Cave family set up Colby Cave Memorial Fund

By Scott CharlesApr 14, 2020, 5:58 PM EDT

The Edmonton Oilers and family of Colby Cave announced the creation of the Colby Cave Memorial Fund in honor of Oilers forward Colby Cave who suddenly passed on April 11.

Proceeds from the fund will go toward community programs with an emphasis on mental health initiatives and providing access to sports for underprivileged children.

“Colby was a respected and admired teammate, family member and friend to so many across the hockey community and community at large,” Oilers chairman Bob Nicholson said in a statement. “We wanted to work closely with Colby’s wife Emily, parents Allan and Jennifer, and sister Taylor to help create a powerful and lasting memory and legacy of Colby’s impact on our organization and the communities he played in.”

Cave’s wife, Emily, will have a leadership role in the fund and is delighted to be involved, according to Nicholson.

“My greatest honor in life will always be that I am Colby Cave’s wife,” Emily said. “I love him dearly, I always will and miss him beyond words. He taught me so much. He was genuine, caring, selfless, had a contagious laughter, but most importantly had the biggest heart. Though, our time with him on earth was cut short, I am grateful that the whole world can now see how incredible my husband was and how lucky I am to be his wife. Colby would be humbled by the Colby Cave Memorial Fund, and I am looking forward to continuing his legacy alongside the Edmonton Oilers and the rest of the hockey community.”

Donations to the Colby Cave Memorial Fund are being accepted by the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation in Colby’s memory at EdmontonOilers.com/Colby.

RELATED: Locals pay tribute to Colby Cave by lining shoulder of highway with cars

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Scott Charles is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @ScottMCharles.

Locals pay tribute to Colby Cave by lining shoulder of highway with cars

Cars line up to pay tribute to Colby Cave
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By James O'BrienApr 13, 2020, 11:03 PM EDT

Saskatchewan locals paid a heartwarming tribute to Colby Cave on Monday. Cars lined up on the shoulder of a highway to remember Cave, and also support Cave’s family.

Cave, a former Oilers and Bruins forward, passed away Saturday at age 25 after suffering a brain bleed last week.

From the look of photos taken of the area, it looks like hundreds of cars lined up for several kilometers to honor Cave and his family. Family friend Bob Bartkewich ranked among those who helped to organize that effort.

“It just goes to show you the impact that the Cave family and Colby had in town,” Bartkewich said, via the Canadian Press.

Photos, video of people paying tribute to Colby Cave

Former Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba joined those remembering Cave on Monday, sharing this photo:

Gryba also captured video of the tribute:

 

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe captured the scale of the turnout with this video:

Battlefords Now’s Josh Ryan shared striking photos of people paying tribute to Cave on Instagram. Ryan estimated that thousands showed up to silently honor Cave and his family.

“To see the community come out, considering everything else that’s going on in the world today, the amount of vehicles that are here in support of the family is incredible,” Family friend Heath Gabruch told Ryan. “It’s really nice to see.”

Many in the hockey world shared their condolences for Cave over the weekend.

That included Cave’s former Oilers teammate Connor McDavid, who wrote this on Saturday:

Heavy heart today. You were an amazing person and always brought so much energy and positivity into the room and peoples lives. You will be deeply missed Caver. Sending all my love to Emily and the entire Cave family through this difficult time.

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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.

Oilers forward Colby Cave dies at 25

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By Sean LeahyApr 11, 2020, 11:10 AM EDT
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Edmonton Oilers forward Colby Cave has passed away after suffering a brain bleed earlier this week.

The 25-year-old Cave was airlifted to Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital and placed in a medically induced coma on Tuesday. He underwent emergency surgery where doctors removed a colloid cyst, which was causing pressure on his brain.

The Cave family released the following statement on Saturday morning:

“It is with great sadness to share the news that our Colby Cave passed away early this morning. I (Emily) and both our families are in shock but know our Colby was loved dearly by us, his family and friends, the entire hockey community, and many more. We thank everyone for their prayers during this difficult time.”

His wife Emily posted updates on Instagram updating Cave’s condition during the week:

“We need a miracle,” she wrote on Thursday. “Colby’s parents and myself, got to see him through a window and talk to him with a walkie talkie last night. We are no longer allowed to be in the hospital because Covid-19 rules. We have no idea when we will be allowed to see him again.

“The nurse has tied his wedding band to his ankle. I am dreaming of being able to touch you, hear your voice, squeeze your hand (3 times), and kiss you again. I love you so much, and my heart is shattered into a million pieces without my best friend.”

“The National Hockey League family mourns the heartbreaking passing of Colby Cave, whose life and hockey career, though too short, were inspiringly emblematic of the best of our game,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement. “Undrafted but undaunted, Colby was relentless in the pursuit of his hockey dream with both the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins organizations. An earnest and hardworking player, he was admired by his teammates and coaches. More important, he was a warm and generous person who was well-liked by all those fortunate enough to know him.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Emily, their families and Colby’s countless friends throughout the hockey world.”

The Oilers released the following statement from chairman Bob Nicholson and GM Ken Holland:

On behalf of the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club and the Bakersfield Condors, we wanted to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends after the passing of our teammate Colby Cave earlier this morning. Colby was a terrific teammate with great character, admired and liked everywhere he played. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Emily, his family and friends at this very difficult time.

Donald Fehr shared the NHLPA’s condolences, as well.

“We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Colby Cave.  He was living his dream of playing professional hockey, a career tragically cut short.  As a player and a man, Colby was respected by his teammates and all who knew him. He will be dearly missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Colby’s wife Emily, his family, friends and teammates.”

“Colby Cave was beloved as a teammate and friend, as a husband and son,” said AHL President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews in a statement. “The entire American Hockey League extends our deepest condolences to Colby’s wife, Emily, and his entire family, as well as to those whose lives he touched in the Oilers and Bruins organizations and throughout hockey.”

Cave, who was as acquired by the Oilers via waivers in Jan. 2019, spent most the 2019-20 season with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, playing 44 games and recording 23 points. He was up in the NHL for 11 games with Edmonton this season.

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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.

Oilers say Colby Cave remains in medically induced coma

Associated PressApr 9, 2020, 2:34 PM EDT

(UPDATE: Cave sadly passed away on Saturday at age 25.)

TORONTO — Edmonton Oilers forward Colby Cave remains in a medically induced coma in a Toronto hospital after suffering a brain bleed earlier in the week.

The Oilers, through Cave’s family, provided an update on Cave’s status Thursday on their Twitter account.

”This is giving his brain time to heal & rest from all he’s been through,” the team wrote in the post.

The 25-year-old native of Battleford, Saskatchewan, was airlifted Tuesday to Sunnybrook Hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Doctors removed a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain.

Cave’s wife, Emily, posted an update on Instagram on Wednesday after seeing him through a window with his parents and talking to him via a walkie-talkie.

”My heart is shattered into a million pieces without my best friend,” she wrote.

Emily Cave said the family is no longer allowed to be in the hospital because of COVID-19 rules. She said they have no idea when they will be allowed to see him again.

Cave scored one goal in 11 games with Edmonton this season. He has four goals and five assists over 67 NHL games with Boston and Edmonton.

Oilers’ Colby Cave in coma after suffering brain bleed

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By Sean LeahyApr 7, 2020, 2:23 PM EDT
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(UPDATE: Cave sadly passed away on Saturday at age 25.)

Oilers forward Colby Cave has been placed in a medically-induced coma after suffering a brain bleed, the team announced on Tuesday.

“I talked to Colby’s wife [Emily] this morning,” said Oilers GM Ken Holland. “What she said was over the course of last night, he had some headaches and stuff, so they got him to the hospital in Barrie and determined he had some kind of brain bleed, and he was transported to the hospital in Toronto.”

The team said that the 25-year-old Cave is currently in the critical care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. His agent, Jason Davidson, confirmed to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector, that this is not related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Cave was not involved in an accident.

Cave, who was acquired by the Oilers via waivers in Jan. 2019, has spent most the 2019-20 season with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, playing 44 games and recording 23 points. He was up in the NHL for 11 games with Edmonton this season.

UPDATE: The Oilers say Cave is out of emergency surgery where doctors removed a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain. He remains in a medically-induced coma.

UPDATE 4/9: Cave’s family released the following statement on Thursday:

Colby is still in a medically-induced coma. This is giving his brain time to heal and rest from all he’s been through. We would like to thank the Oilers organization, the entire hockey community, all of our friends, and family, and everyone who has shown us love and support.

We would like to send a big thank-you to Colby’s critical care team, neurosurgeons and nurses at Sunnybrook Hospital. We appreciate all that you are doing for our Colby.

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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.