Colby Cave, an Edmonton Oilers forward, died Saturday morning after suffering a brain bleed earlier in the week. He was 25.
Emily Cave, Cave’s wife, confirmed the news in a statement.
“It is with great sadness to share the news that our Colby Cave passed away this morning,” the statement went on to say. “Both of our families are stunned, but we know our Colby was adored by us, his family and friends, the entire hockey community, and many others.” We appreciate everyone’s prayers during this difficult time.
Cave was airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday after being in a medically induced coma following emergency surgery to remove a colloid cyst causing pressure on his brain.
Because of COVID-19 rules, Emily Cave and other family members have been unable to visit Cave in the hospital in recent days.
Emily Cave posted on Instagram on Wednesday night that the family needed a “miracle.” Many people in the hockey community rallied behind Cave, including Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who described his teammate as “one of the toughest guys I know.”
“The National Hockey League family mourns the heartbreaking passing of Colby Cave, whose life and hockey career, though cut too short, were inspiringly emblematic of the best of our game,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement Saturday. “Undrafted but undeterred, Colby pursued his hockey dream with both the Edmonton Oilers and the Boston Bruins organizations.” His teammates and coaches admired him as a dedicated and hardworking player. More importantly, he was a warm and generous person who was well-liked by all who knew him.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Emily, their families and Colby’s countless friends throughout the hockey world.”
Players and teams from the NHL and other hockey leagues have expressed their condolences.
“Colby was a terrific teammate with great character, admired & liked everywhere he played,” said Oilers chairman Bob Nicholson and general manager Ken Holland in a joint statement. “Our thoughts & prayers go out to his wife Emily, his family & friends at this very difficult time.”
Cave, a native of Battleford, Saskatchewan, scored one goal in 11 games this season for Edmonton. Despite going undrafted, he had four goals and five assists in 67 NHL games with the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers.
“As an undrafted free agent from Saskatchewan, Colby chose the Bruins and once he came to our organization, he seized the opportunity and showed on and off the ice that he was a special hockey player and person,” Cam Neely, the president of the Bruins, said in a “He was, and will always be a Bruin, and he will be dearly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know him.”
