(Photo via Providence Bruins)
By: Patrick Donnelly | Follow me on Twitter @PatDonn12
On Tuesday morning, the Providence Bruins announced, in collaboration with the Cave Family and the Boston Bruins Foundation, the establishment of the Colby Cave Memorial Award, honoring Cave’s commitment to helping those in need. The award will be presented annually to a Providence Bruins player “for their dedication to the community and charitable organizations.”
Originally an undrafted free agent, Cave spent portions of five seasons with the P-Bruins after inking an entry-level contract with the Bruins in April 2015. In 239 career games with Providence, the North Battleford, Saskatchewan native posted 43-72-115 numbers, often serving as an assistant captain.
Cave made his National Hockey League debut with the Bruins, and scored his first NHL goal on Dec. 17, 2018, in the Bruins 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Edmonton claimed him off waivers during the 2018-19 campaign.
In 67 career NHL games over four seasons with the Oilers and Bruins, Cave registered four goals and five assists for nine points. In 11 games with Edmonton during the 2019-20 season, he scored one goal. With the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers American Hockey League affiliate, the left-shot forward tallied 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 44 games.
Cave spent five seasons (2010-15 with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he served as team captain for two seasons from 2013 to 2015, skating alongside current Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk. During his career in the WHL, Cave notched 95-107-202 totals in 287 games.
“The Colby Cave Memorial Award is a special way to honor and remember Colby for his leadership qualities and humanitarian efforts,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in a statement. “Driven and committed to be an NHL player, Colby was also uniquely unselfish with teammates and anyone that needed help!
“Emily, the Cave Family and the entire Hockey World lost a great person who was beloved by everyone that was fortunate enough to spend time with Colby Cave.”
“From the first day he stepped into the Dunkin’ Donuts Center to the day he left for the NHL, Colby Cave inspired each and every one of us with his diligence, selflessness and compassion,” Providence Bruins head coach Jay Leach said. “Always the first to help, both with his teammates, and throughout our community, Colby set the precedent that we aspire to uphold.”
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 188 that we recorded below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!
Awesome idea. Colby was a very special person.