The Edmonton Oilers and the family of Colby Cave announced Tuesday they have established the Colby Cave Memorial Fund in honor of the forward who died April 11 at the age of 25.

Proceeds from the fund will go toward community programs with an emphasis on mental health initiatives and providing access to sports for underprivileged children.

"We just want to make sure as we go forward that we keep Colby's memory alive with this," Oilers chairman Bob Nicholson said Tuesday. "We really want to make sure we're doing this with the hockey community."

Nicholson said Cave's wife, Emily, will play a leadership role in the fund. Cave died four days after he had surgery to remove a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain.

"Emily has been so strong through this, through a difficult time," Nicholson said. "She really wants to lead this Colby Cave Memorial Fund and we think that is outstanding that she'll be the leader as we roll out this program that we'll have for many years to come here in Edmonton and throughout our country.

"We're looking for people to donate to this and really have something we can do on an annual basis to make a difference in people's lives. That was something that was really important to Colby. He worked a lot in the community, so if we can help kids and individuals with mental health and also get kids to play hockey and other sports, this will be something that Colby and Emily will be very proud of."

Emily Cave said she will serve Cave's memory with the fund and the Oilers.

"My greatest honor in life will always be that I am Colby Cave's wife," she said in the release announcing the establishment of the fund. "I love him dearly, I always will and miss him beyond words. He taught me so much. He was genuine, caring, selfless, had a contagious laughter, but most importantly had the biggest heart. Though our time with him on earth was cut short, I am grateful that the whole world can now see how incredible my husband was and how lucky I am to be his wife. Colby would be humbled by the Colby Cave Memorial Fund, and I am looking forward to continuing his legacy alongside the Edmonton Oilers and the rest of the hockey community."

Donations to the Colby Cave Memorial Fund can be made at EdmontonOilers.com/Colby.