Winnipeg Jets heart Pierre-Luc Dubois is altering his jersey quantity subsequent season to honor Matiss Kivlenieks, his former teammate in Columbus who died in a tragic accident final month.
The Jets confirmed that Dubois goes from No. 13 to No. 80, which is the quantity Kivlenieks wore as a goaltender within the Blue Jackets system and with the Latvian nationwide staff.
Kivlenieks, 24, died of chest trauma after being unintentionally hit with a firework at a July 4 yard celebration in Michigan, on the dwelling of Columbus goaltending coach Manny Legace. He was praised by Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins as a hero, saying “he saved my son, he saved my spouse, and he saved me” from the blast.
Like lots of Kivlenieks’s present and former teammates, Dubois was emotionally shocked by his loss of life. “RIP Kivvi. You have been an excellent individual and an unbelievable good friend to have,” wrote Dubois on his Instagram, “we’re all gonna miss you.”
Dubois, 23, was traded to Winnipeg by the Blue Jackets final season for forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic.
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