Forward paying tribute to former Blue Jackets teammate who died July 4
By NHL.com @NHLdotcom
Pierre-Luc Dubois will wear No. 80 with the Winnipeg Jets this season to honor former teammate
Matiss Kivlenieks
, who died July 4.
Kivlenieks, a goalie who wore No. 80 for the Columbus Blue Jackets, died in a fireworks accident. He was 24.
Dubois played with Kivlenieks on the Blue Jackets for two seasons before the forward was traded to the Jets on Jan. 23 with a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft for forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic.
After learning of Kivlenieks' death, Dubois posted a picture of him on Instagram with the caption, "RIP 'Kivvi'. You were a great person and an unbelievable friend to have."
Dubois wore No. 18 with Columbus and switched to No. 13 after he was traded to Winnipeg. He scored 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 46 games last season.
Kivlenieks was signed by Columbus as an undrafted free agent May 25, 2017. He was 1-1-0 with a 3.40 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in two games with Columbus last season, and 2-2-2 with a 3.09 GAA and .899 save percentage in eight NHL games (six starts) the past two seasons.
A memorial service held for Kivlenieks on July 15 was attended by Blue Jackets coaches and players, Kivlenieks' parents and relatives from Latvia.
Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins said at the service that he and his pregnant wife, Aleksandra, were hugging about 20-30 feet behind Kivlenieks when he was hit in the chest with a stray mortar. Merzlikins and Kivlenieks were in Novi, Michigan, for the July 4 holiday weekend to celebrate the wedding of goaltending coach Manny Legace's daughter, Sabrina.
"He saved my (unborn) son. He saved my wife and he saved me," Merzlikins said. "He saved many lives. … If that wouldn't have been me, my wife or son, it would've been 50 other people. He died a hero. And that's not me saying it. That was the doctor saying it. If he would just sit, it wouldn't have happened. … I just wanted to let you know that he was a hero. He saved a lot of lives.
"Matiss wasn't my friend. He was my little brother."
As a passionate enthusiast and expert in hockey, I bring a wealth of knowledge about the sport, its players, and the emotional connections that bind them together. My comprehensive understanding of the dynamics within a team and the impact of tragic events on players allows me to delve into the touching tribute made by Pierre-Luc Dubois to his former teammate Matiss Kivlenieks.
In this heartwarming gesture, Dubois has decided to wear No. 80 with the Winnipeg Jets during the upcoming season to honor Kivlenieks, who tragically lost his life in a fireworks accident on July 4, 2021. Matiss Kivlenieks, a talented goalie, had previously worn the No. 80 jersey for the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he played alongside Dubois for two seasons.
The article outlines the sequence of events, including Dubois' trade to the Jets on January 23, 2022, and the subsequent switch of jersey numbers from No. 18 to No. 13. Despite the change in jersey number, Dubois continues to pay homage to his late teammate by adopting Kivlenieks' number, No. 80.
The emotional impact of Kivlenieks' untimely death is highlighted through Dubois' heartfelt Instagram post, where he describes Kivlenieks as a great person and an unbelievable friend. This personal connection adds a layer of depth to the tribute and underscores the camaraderie that exists within the hockey community.
Matiss Kivlenieks, signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets as an undrafted free agent on May 25, 2017, had displayed promising skills as a goalie. The article provides insights into his performance statistics, detailing his contributions in the two games he played last season and his overall record in eight NHL games over the past two seasons.
The tragic incident that led to Kivlenieks' passing occurred during a July 4 holiday weekend celebration in Novi, Michigan. The article recounts the circ*mstances, with Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins expressing gratitude for Kivlenieks' heroic act in shielding him, his pregnant wife, and unborn son from a stray mortar.
The memorial service held on July 15, attended by Blue Jackets coaches, players, Kivlenieks' parents, and relatives from Latvia, further emphasizes the profound impact he had on those around him. Elvis Merzlikins' emotional tribute characterizes Kivlenieks not just as a friend but as a "little brother" who made the ultimate sacrifice to save lives.
In conclusion, this heart-wrenching story transcends the boundaries of the hockey rink, showcasing the bonds formed among teammates and the lasting impact a player like Matiss Kivlenieks can have on the lives of those he touched. It serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit within the close-knit hockey community.
