RCMP and Battlefords Fire leads the family of Colby Cave through 15 kilometres of highway filled by local residents. (angela Brown/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Show of solidarity

Battlefords gives silent but powerful support for Cave family

Apr 13, 2020 | 8:05 PM

Thousands of Battlefords residents stood silently along Highway 16 Monday afternoon, as the convoy for Colby Cave’s family made its way into their home town.

Families, couples, young and old, wore jerseys and held signs bearing the numbers that the late power forward wore during his time in minor, junior and professional hockey. Some even had Cave’s name and #12 adorning the windows of their vehicles. There were mixed emotions, at the tragedy of Cave’s passing over the weekend following a brain bleed, and the sight of the community covering 15 kilometres of road.

“It’s heartbreaking, especially in the time we’re in right now,” said local resident Nathan Arias.

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“To see the community come out, considering everything else that’s going on in the world today, the amount of vehicles that are here in support of the family is incredible,” said family friend Heath Gabruch. “It’s really nice to see.”

The cavalcade was organized by Bob Bartkewich and Leon Lozowchuk, friends of Cave’s father Al. Because there can’t be a traditional funeral due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bartkewich said they reached out to the family about still having a show of support, a sentiment that ballooned into gestures from across the country.

“Talked to Al, Jen and Taylor about it and they ok’d it, but I don’t think they expected it to get this many people involved,” said Bartkewich. “We were basically going to do it with our hockey team and it just spread from there.”

Each lineup of vehicles had an array of the Battleford native’s attire, including official Bruins and Oilers jerseys, and almost every person had a connection to the Cave family. Many of the stories that best reflect his character are about his parents and grandparents.

“My dad worked with his grandpa in the fire department for many years,” said local resident Crystal Polichuk. “That’s why we’re here, to show support to him and his family.”

One section of highway was filled with several minor hockey players that had followed their hometown hero’s progression through pro hockey for years. Colby Friedrich said Cave was a mentor to their group, playing rec hockey with them over summers and interacting with them when they were young. He vividly remembers one time the Oiler forward touched base with their team in the middle of their playoff run.

“We were on the bus on our way to Northeast and he phoned us and wished us good luck,” Friedrich said. “I mean, he didn’t have to do that, he had an NHL game to get ready for. That just shows his character and personality.”

Just a few of the many minor hockey players impacted by Colby Cave. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

Residents would certainly choose another reason to get out of the house amid COVID-19 isolation but this was special, albeit sombre. The community was there in mass, standing solemnly side by side while trying to remain socially distant. of A pair of signs, which perhaps best summed up the feelings those in attendance, read “Thank you for being our hometown hero. You will never be forgotten.”

(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW)

“Supporting someone else that needs that support right now,” said Gabruch. “That’s why we are seeing so many people here.”

“We’re all in this together,” added Arias.

josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports