Oilers’ Cave in induced coma
Edmonton Oilers forward Colby Cave’s wife says doctors are “fighting to keep him alive” after he suffered a brain bleed.
The Oilers said Tuesday on their Twitter account that the brain bleed happened overnight and that Cave was in a medically-induced coma in the critical care unit at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital.
Cave’s wife, Emily, gave an update on Instagram later Tuesday.
“Last night and today have been the worst days of my life,” she said. “Colby is currently in surgery and the doctors are fighting to keep him alive. We need a miracle. Please pray for my husband and best friend.”
A 25-year-old from Battleford, Sask., Cave scored once in 11 appearances with Edmonton this season. He has 11 goals and 23 points in 44 games with the American Hockey League’s Bakersfield Condors.
Cave’s agent, Jason Davidson, confirmed in an email to The Canadian Press that the situation doesn’t appear to be linked to the COVID19 pandemic.
The Oilers posted Cave’s goal — an impressive rush down the right wing that saw him beat a Pittsburgh defender and stuff the puck past Penguins netminder Matt Murray — on Twitter.
“Colby is an awesome person who scored an awesome goal for us this season,” the team said. “The entire Oilers family is sending you all our love and strength right now.”
Cave played five seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos before joining the Bruins organization for the 2014-15 season. The Oilers claimed Colby off waivers on Jan. 15, 2019.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with alum Colby Cave, his wife Emily, his friends, family and all of the lives Caver has touched,” the Broncos said on Twitter.
He has four goals and five assists over 67 NHL games with Boston and Edmonton.