Family announces Oilers’ Colby Cave has died at age 25

On Saturday, the family of the Edmonton Oilers centre announced the tragic news that Colby Cave has passed away at the age of 25.

In a tragic bit of news, Edmonton Oilers centre Colby Cave has died at the age of 25.

His family announced his passing Saturday via the Oilers, giving a statement:

"“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.”"

Cave was in a medically-induced coma after suffering a brain bleed earlier this week. He had been airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday and entered the coma following emergency surgery to remove a colloid cyst causing pressure on his brain.

The Oilers released a statement from chairman Bob Nicholson and president of hockey operations and general manager Ken Holland on his passing:

"“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.”"

During his NHL career, Cave spent time with the Boston Bruins, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins, the Oilers and their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.

The Bruins, Condors, and even NHL commissioner Gary Bettman have all expressed their deepest sympathies to Cave’s family, as well as several other NHL teams.

Our thoughts are with Cave’s family and his wife Emily during this difficult time.