Thousands Line the Highway in North Battleford, Saskatchewan to Show Support for the Family of Colby Cave

Screencap: @JoshRyanSports

It was an incredible and emotional scene on Highway 16 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan on Monday as thousands of cars lined the side of the road to show support as the family of Edmonton Oilers’ center Colby Cave returned home. Cave passed away at the age of 25 on Saturday in Toronto after suffering a brain bleed earlier in the week.

An incredible scene in North Battleford as thousands line the highway to show support for the family of Colby Cave. ❤️

(📽️: @JoshRyanSports)
pic.twitter.com/KBJ7mKgQl9

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 13, 2020

Incredible view of the tribute to Colby Cave’s family along Highway 16 in North Battleford. #ColbyCave pic.twitter.com/XYaNRQcPgP

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) April 13, 2020

Vehicles formed a line on the westbound shoulder of Highway 16. Residents and fans wore hockey jerseys and made signs to let Cave’s family know they are thinking of them during this challenging time.

1000’s of Colby Cave Fans, showing support for the Cave Family. #HomeTownHero #NorthBattleford @spittinchiclets @EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/yT2i08jIUc

— KJ Bird (@KayJai) April 13, 2020

In North Battleford, Saskatchewan there are hundreds of cars lined up on the side of Highway 16 from beyond the western outskirts to several km east of the city. They’re paying tribute to hometown hero Colby Cave. The @EdmontonOilers forward died on April 11. @edmontonjournal pic.twitter.com/YYlkhe2uEi

— Lisa Johnson (@reportrix) April 13, 2020

A photo sent to me as the community in @citynb welcomes back the Cave family. Heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. pic.twitter.com/f45LUhafE8

— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) April 13, 2020

Former Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba tweeted a photo of himself standing outside his car on the highway and called the scene “heartbreaking and heartwarming”.

Supposedly there is 15km+ of cars lined up outside Battleford right now waiting for the family of Colby Cave.

A heartbreaking and heartwarming time. pic.twitter.com/wquvx7vqVP

— Eric Gryba (@grybes02) April 13, 2020

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Battleford Fire Department led the family through before they returned home.

Heart wrenching. #RIPCAVER pic.twitter.com/qfZQMXNtgF

— Eric Gryba (@grybes02) April 13, 2020

Silence from start to finish as the convoy for the Cave family made it’s eay through the Battlefords. pic.twitter.com/AmwPXspE0E

— Joshua Ryan (@JoshRyanSports) April 13, 2020

Last Tuesday, Cave was airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto after suffering a brain bleed overnight. He was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent emergency surgery to remove a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain.

His wife, Emily released a statement Saturday morning confirming the news of his passing:

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.

An outpouring of support from players and teams across the NHL have expressed their condolences. Cave was signed by the Bruins in April 2015 but played out the rest of the 2014-15 season with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate. He picked up 97 points (37 goals) in Providence. His NHL debut came in the final year of his rookie contract in December 2017. Cave scored his first NHL goal on December 17, 2018. He collected 5 points that season with Boston before being placed on waivers. The Oilers claimed Colby Cave on January 15, 2019. He posted 4 points with Edmonton and 23 points (11 goals) with their AHL team, Bakersfield Condors.

By Della Young