The former NHL forward, who played for the Bruins and Oilers, died April 11, 2020, four days after he had surgery to remove a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain. He was 25.
Cave's widow, Emily Cave, participated in the ceremonial puck drop, hugging Boston captain Patrice Bergeron and Edmonton captain Connor McDavid before and after. She hugged each Bruins player on her way off the ice.
A video was shown honoring Cave's career with the Bruins and Oilers. He played 67 games from 2017-2020, 23 for the Bruins and 44 for the Oilers. He scored nine points (four goals, five assists) in the NHL.
"Colby was one of the most genuine kids I think I ever coached," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said Wednesday. "At a lower level is where you get to know these kids, at 20, 21, I think it's a little different when you're in the minors and they've left home. They've got to find their identity there, they're so young and you want to do right by them as people and as players.
"I think with that one, no one saw it coming, obviously. It's difficult. Difficult for the family -- much more difficult for his family and Emily -- but still, it's jarring. Hopefully she's doing well. It sounds like she is."
The Boston Bruins Foundation will auction game-used sticks from the Bruins and Oilers with the proceeds benefitting the Colby Cave Memorial Fund, dedicated to initiatives in Boston and Providence. The Boston Bruins Foundation 50/50 Raffle, presented by DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports, will also benefit the Colby Cave Memorial Fund.
The game-used sticks can be bid on
here
and 50/50 tickets can be purchased
here
through Nov. 16.
