Colby Cave

Colby Cave (born December 26, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL), as a prospect for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Cave was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, but grew up in the town of Battleford, Saskatchewan, and first played locally with the Battlefords Stars in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League from 2009 to 2011. He was drafted to the major junior level with the 13th selection in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft in 2009 by the Kootenay Ice.

Cave's rights were later traded by Kootenay to the Swift Current Broncos on January 9, 2011. After agreeing to terms with the Broncos, he made his debut at the tail end of the 2010–11 season, appearing in a solitary game.

In his third full season with the Broncos, Cave was named team captain. He continued his development by elevating his offensive game to almost a point-per-game pace finishing with 70 points in 72 games. Eligible for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Cave was listed 157th overall by ISS Hockey, however, he was passed over.

At the conclusion of his final junior season, placing second on the club in points with 75 in 72 games, Cave was signed as an undrafted free agent to a three-year, entry level contract by the Boston Bruins on April 4, 2015. 

He was immediately reassigned to play out the remainder of the 2014–15 season with American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins.

During the final season of his rookie contract with the Bruins in 2017–18, Cave received his first recall to the NHL on an emergency basis by the Bruins on December 21, 2017. He made his NHL debut, playing alongside line-mate and former Broncos junior teammate, Jake DeBrusk, in a 2–1 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets. He was then returned to Providence following the game.

Following another callup by the Boston team in the 2018–19 season, on December 17, 2018, Cave scored his first NHL career goal in 4–0 shutout of the Montreal Canadiens He remained with Boston to appear in 20 games, posting 1 goal and 5 points, before he was placed on waivers by the Bruins for re-assignment to the AHL. On January 15, 2019, Cave left the Bruins organization after he was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers.

Personal life

Cave suffered a brain bleed overnight on April 6-7, 2020 and is in a coma.