The Battlefords community took great pride in the hockey journey of one of their own, Colby Cave, to the NHL.
It should not come as a surprise that there has been an outpouring from the Battlefords community following his sudden death from a brain bleed on Saturday in Toronto. In a stirring tribute, cars lined Highway 16 for miles on Monday afternoon to welcome the Cave family home.
Cave spent his early hockey years in the Battlefords, playing for the bantam AA Barons before joining the midget Battlefords AAA Stars. From 2009-11, Cave scored 29 goals and notched 43 assists.
He played three games with the Battlefords North Stars but spent most of his junior career with the Swift Current Broncos where he rose to become the team鈥檚 captain. In his final WHL season Cave scored 35 goals and 40 assists.
Cave was undrafted by the NHL but signed with the Boston Bruins organization. He spent the better part of four seasons with the Providence Bruins of the AHL and was called up to the NHL with Boston in 2017-18.
During the 2018-19 season Cave was acquired by the Edmonton Oilers where he played 33 games. He spent most of the 2019-20 season with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL playing 44 games, but was called up for 11 games with the Oilers and scored a memorable goal against Pittsburgh - his only goal of the season with the Oilers.
News of Cave鈥檚 passing was met by swift reaction from the hockey world. The Battlefords North Stars issued this statement on their Facebook page:
鈥淭he Battlefords and area has lost a son, brother, friend, and local hero and icon in the hockey world. His love for kids, friends, teammates, coaches, and everyone he ever met showed the type of person he truly was. Colby will be missed not only by family and friends, but by a community who loved him and was proud of what he accomplished throughout his hockey career. He was proud of where he grew up and continued to put the Battlefords on the map as a place that has great athletes and great people as a whole.
鈥淐olby Cave will be missed by all!鈥�
The Swift Current Broncos issued this statement:
鈥淭he Swift Current Broncos are devastated to hear of the passing of our former captain, Colby Cave. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time. Rest In Peace, Caver.鈥�
Edmonton Oilers chairman Bob Nicholson and president of hockey operations Ken Holland had this statement:听听听
鈥淥n 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.鈥�
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made the following statement:
鈥淭he 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. 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.鈥�
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