Report: Colby Cave’s jersey number to be retired?

In case you missed it earlier this week, thousands of Saskatchewan residents lined Highway 16 outside of Colby Cave’s hometown of North Battleford in an incredible showing of support for Cave’s wife Emily.

Check it out:

The 25 year old forward, of course, passed away this past weekend after suffering a brain hemorrhage. The Edmonton Oilers and former Boston Bruins forward was rushed to hospital last week and placed under a medical-induced coma. After an emergency brain surgery to remove a tumour there was hope that Cave might recover. Heartbreakingly though, he passed away on Saturday, April 11th.

The Oilers have established a fund in Cave’s memory in partnership with Emily which will serve as a lasting tribute to the young man. Now NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, with whom Cave played 44 games with this season, could retire the player’s #26 in the rafters. 

Check out this little tidbit from Friedman's most recent 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

I could see the possibility of AHL Bakersfield retiring Colby Cave’s 26.

How about we go a step further and have the Oilers honour Cave’s #26, as well? Officially retiring the number might not be necessary, but an “unofficial” retiring might be in order similar to what the Vancouver Canucks have done with Luc Bourdon’s #28. Thoughts?