The outpouring of grief from the hockey community and local citizens alike hasn't waned following the unexpected death of NHLer Colby Cave, whose wife Emily is a Barrie native.
With the NHL season on hold due to COVID-19, Colby and Emily had been staying in the basement apartment of her parents' Barrie home, self-isolating, when he began complaining of a headache.
He was admitted to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre on Monday, April 6.
A native of North Battleford, Sask., Colby was airlifted to Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital the next day and placed in a medically induced coma. He underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday, April 7; doctors removed a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain.
The Edmonton Oilers forward died Saturday, April 11 in Toronto. He was 25 years old.
Barrie residents Gary and Terry Gill, Emily's parents, described Colby as respectful, humble and kind, a person who brought much joy to their family.
"His huge smile lit up the room and you could not help but love him," they said, referring to him as "Emily's rock."
"He was more than we could ever ask for for our daughter," the Gills told BarrieToday in an interview over email. "He treated everyone in the way he would want to be treated.
"Everyone loved Colby; there was nothing not to love. Colby loved life to the fullest. He loved country music, dancing, golf and endless card games at our dining-room table. He was always willing to take an adventure and loved to laugh. He never hesitated to reach out and help someone."
The Gills said the display of love and support "has truly touched our hearts. It has been overwhelming and yet so uplifting. It comforts us in knowing how many loved him and that so many saw the wonderful qualities Colby demonstrated."
The support from the community following Colby's death has helped the family in this extremely difficult time.
A parade of vehicles went by the Gill home Thursday afternoon and several friends of the family have also been placing a hockey stick on their front porches in honour of Colby.
"This has been so meaningful to our family," they said.
The six-foot-one, 200-pound forward made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on Dec. 21, 2017. Colby played 15 more games with Boston in 2018 before the Oilers claimed him off waivers. He had four goals and five assists during his 67 NHL games with Boston and Edmonton.
While with the Bruins organization, Colby also took time to interact with students at Hyde Park Public School, where Emily's mother is a teacher.
"I had a young boy in my class who loved hockey, but was struggling to get his work done," Terry said. "My daughter, Emily, was helping me that day at school. She called Colby in Boston and he talked for several minutes over the phone to encourage this little Grade 1 boy to work and do his best."
The Cave family and the Edmonton Oilers announced this week the creation of the Colby Cave Memorial Fund to help carry on his memory and legacy.
Proceeds from the fund will go toward community programs with an emphasis on mental-health initiatives and providing access to sports for underprivileged children, as chosen by Emily.
"We know 'Colb' would be so humbled by all this attention, but would be thrilled that his Emily will have a purpose to get up in the morning and do what her passion has always been, which was working with non-profit organizations," the Gills said.
Click here to donate to the Colby Cave Memorial Fund.
"My greatest honour in life will always be that I am Colby Cave's wife," Emily Cave said in a release from the team. "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," she added. "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."
Family members will also be organizing future fundraising events in support of the Colby Cave Memorial Fund.
The Gills told BarrieToday that Colby saw Emily’s Instagram online when he was playing junior hockey in Swift Current, Sask. They said he was persistent and pursued their daughter for three years before she responded.
"We heard later from one of his hockey friends that Colby had showed Emily’s picture to some of the players in the Swift Current locker room and he said, 'I am going to marry this girl one day.' They just laughed at him," Emily's parents said.
The couple married last July and that story was told as a testament to his determination and persistence.
"It was Christmas 2015 on a family vacation in New York City," the Gills said. "Emily shared to us that she was interested in this guy. Her first words to us about him were: 'Mom and Dad, there’s this guy and I think you would really like him. He really loves family and has good family values.' A few months later, he came to our house and we loved him from then on. We knew he was obviously the one for our daughter. He adored her and she adored him'."
Emily's older sister, Ky Vlemmix, said she still remembers the first time Emily told the family about Colby.
“She told us about his kindness, his love for his family and how excited she was to have found someone as special as him," she said. "It did not take long for us to see how well Emily and Colby complemented each other. We all witnessed the love Colby had for Emily; he understood her, he supported her dreams and he always had her best interest at heart. Thank you Colby for making my sister so happy.”
The Oilers organization described Cave as "a consummate professional, well-respected by teammates and opponents alike. He was also a committed and positive member of the communities in which he played, eagerly volunteering for charitable initiatives and always stopping to say hi to fans."
Numerous tributes have also poured from the hockey community.
Said hockey legend Wayne Gretzky: "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."
Added Oilers captain Connor McDavid: "You were an amazing person and always brought so much energy and positivity into the room and in people's lives. You will be deeply missed 'Caver'. Sending all my love to Emily and the entire Cave family through this difficult time."
Cave began his NHL career with the Boston Bruins in the 2017-18 season before joining the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 15, 2019.
"I'm so shocked and saddened to hear this horrible news," said Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk, who also played junior hockey with Cave in Swift Current. "It's hard to put my feelings into words. I was lucky to play junior hockey with Colby. He was our captain and leader. It was an unforgettable moment when we again played together in the NHL for the Boston Bruins.
"He was an amazing person, player and friend. Sending my deepest condolences to Emily and the Cave family. Rest in peace Colby," DeBrusk added.
— With files from John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
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