His wife was praying for a miracle, but after suffering a brain bleed earlier this week, Oilers forward Colby Cave died Saturday.
Cave was placed in a medically-induced coma at a Toronto hospital on Tuesday after being airlifted Monday after being admitted to hospital in Barrie, Ontario.
On Tuesday, Cave underwent emergency surgery to remove a colloid cyst that was putting pressure on his brain.
"My heart is shattered. The amount of physical, mental, and emotional pain I am in when I think about never seeing, touching, or holding you again is unbearable," wrote Cave's wife, Emily.
Throughout Cave's time in hospital, Emily shared updates on her husband's condition and asked for prayer for a miracle to keep Cave alive.
"I never dreamed of being a widow before our first wedding anniversary," Emily shared via social media Saturday morning. "You are and will always be my person, my hero, the greatest thing to happen to me."
Cave was 25 when he died. The pair was married less than a year ago on July 7, 2019.
On Wednesday, Emily shared an update on her husband's condition.
"Please wake up ... we need a miracle," she wrote.
Due to COVID-19 rules and restrictions at the hospital, Emily shared that she was no longer able to be with her husband.
"We have no idea when we will be allowed to see him again. The nurse has tied his wedding band to his ankle," Emily says.
"I am dreaming of being able to touch you, hear your voice, squeeze your hand (3 times), and kiss you again. I love you so much, and my heart is shattered into a million pieces without my best friend."
Emily closed her post by quoting scripture.
"Out of difficulties grows miracles - 1 Peter 5:10," the post read.
Cave, originally from Battleford, Saskatchewan, made his NHL debut in Dec. 2017 as a Boston Bruin. He transitioned to the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 15, 2019.
The forward had one goal with the Oilers in 11 appearances this season which the Oilers shared on Twitter in remembrance of Cave.
Colby is an awesome person who scored an awesome goal for us this season.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 7, 2020
The entire #Oilers family is sending you all our love & strength right now, @Cavemn10.
💙🧡💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/A5uZNmPZMl
On Tuesday, Cave's agent Jason Davidson reported Cave's medical concerns did not appear to be a result of COVID-19.
Emily Cave has made several posts about her and her husband's faith. Over the past week, she repeatedly asked for prayer for a miracle to keep her husband alive.
"I’ll see you again soon, Colb," Emily says.
"You’ll be in heaven meeting me with a warm wet kiss. You’ll be with me every step of the way."