Edmonton Oilers’ Colby Cave Dies at the Age of 25

Edmonton Oilers’ player, Colby Cave, died this Saturday morning following a brain bleed he suffered earlier this week.

This news was confirmed by the wife of the deceased, Emily, who released a statement after this tragic event.

“It is with great sadness to share the news that our Colby Cave passed away this morning,” she stated. “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.”

Cave had a brain bleed on Tuesday, and was moved to the Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on the same day. He had to be placed in a medically induced coma, in order for the doctors to perform surgery and remove the cyst, which pressured his brain and was causing troubles.

Apparently, the chances for his rescue were slim, as Emily wrote on her Instagram account already on Wednesday night that they need a “miracle.” Unfortunately, three days later, Colby passed away. What was even more traumatic for the family is that they couldn’t visit him in the hospital due to the COVID-19 rules.

Cave died at the age of 25. He was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The first team where he played hockey was the Battleford Stars in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.

He would later move to Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, where he eventually became a captain, and was one of the best offensive players of the league. In 2014, Cave became eligible for the NHL Entry Draft, and although many saw him as a certain pick, he wasn’t elected.

Still, the Boston Bruins thought that he had enough potential to become a part of their team. On April 4, 2015, the two parties signed a three-year entry-level deal. Cave made his debut for the Bruins two years later, on December 21, 2017, against the Winnipeg Jets. His team won that contest, with 2-1. The first NHL goal came on December 17, 2018, against the Montreal Canadiens.

Shortly after that, in January 2019, the center joined Edmonton Oilers, where he played 33 matches, had two goals and one assist. He also played for the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League, scoring 11 times with 12 assists in 44 games during this campaign.

Janet and I are so sad to hear of Colby’s passing. He was a wonderful hockey player with a bright future, but an even better person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Emily and his entire family. 🙏

— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) April 11, 2020

The greatest of all time, Wayne Gretzky also expressed his sadness after Cave’s death.

“Janet and I are so sad to hear of Colby’s passing. He was a wonderful hockey player with a bright future, but an even better person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Emily and his entire family,” he wrote on his Twitter account.

It is also important to say that Cave’s agent, Jason Davidson, underlined that COVID-19 virus had nothing to do with the entire situation.

The entire NHL and AHL communities mourn the death of the young player. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, the Oilers, and many other teams and prominent individuals are paying their respects to Cave via social networks or the media. The current situation caused by the Coronavirus pandemic is preventing a proper farewell, but no doubt, both the league and the team will make a fitting commemoration once things get back to normal.