My heart sank when I turned on the board this AM and saw this thread.
RIP Colby. You were that perfect resilient character that never allowed there to be a no when it comes to pro hockey. Maybe a lot of people told you the dream of NHL was done, but it never was, and you kept coming up for looks because your play was honest, nobody ever questioned your unshakable heart and your try. You were probably a model to everybody you played with on how far your dreams and dedication can take you.
To those that knew you, Its not the right time, because grief will be too strong to hear this, but I'd like to say people that we meet that are like this, they don't die. They remain in our minds, in our hearts and I wish that for all of Colby's friends and family that they have that recognition that he gave it his all here on Earth and its all any of us can, and any of us can ask for.
Colby Cave lived a dream. The one blessing is that he got there. He got to the summit, Played a fair number of games, scored some goals. He arrived farther than probably many thought he could go. He becomes that person that generations talk about in a family. The Uncle, the Brother, the cousin, the Grandfather, that made it to the NHL. Was an NHL player. The thing I wish is that there had been a playoffs this spring, and that you had been inserted into some games, that you had that too. That would have been the top pinnacle that everybody plays for.
When a mountaineer dies, people don't mourn in the same way. They recognize the person scaled peaks, they know the person had those transcendent moments when they conquered fear, doubt, anxiety, the normal things that tie humanity down. Mountaineers soaring to heights are symbolic of human quest. Descriptions of summiting Everest and what it emboldens means nothing to those that don't have the passion. People live and die to scale the peaks and because the reward to them is so great, what it means to them so monumental. Its immortal accomplishment. Colby Cave had an incredible path and life for a player with ordinary skills. That accomplishment lives forever in our memories. If the Oilers win a Stanley Cup, and I expect they could, Colby Cave and what he modeled will be remembered. His name will not die with his team mates. and there probably will be a dedication.
For sure when hockey is back there will be a Colby Cave commemoration. That is certain.