Columbus Blue Jackets released an image of profound significance.
NHL Society Columbus Blue Jackets honors their goalkeeper who died in July Matīss Kivlenieks with a beautiful gesture.
Latvian Kivlenieks died tragically at the age of only 24 when he got fireworks on his chest at a party in Michigan.
Read more: Latvian NHL goalkeeper Matīss Kivlenieks, 24, died after receiving fireworks on his chest – “Life can be so fragile”, Jarmo Kekäläinen wrote
These were the Blue Jackets goalkeeper coach Manny Legacen daughter’s wedding. There were 60-80 guests, including the team’s second Latvian goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins.
When Kivlenieks received fireworks on his chest, the other Attendees survived.
“I was standing 6-7 meters away from him when it happened. I hugged my wife. He saved my son, my wife and me, ”Merzlikins said after the accident.
So Blue Jackets now froze Kivlenieks game number 80 in their home hall – literally. The number is embedded in the ice behind the Merzlikins goal.
“Number 80 is always Elvis’ safety, ”Blue Jackets wrote on Twitter posting a picture of the ice.
Blue Jackets farm team Cleveland Monsters printed Kivlenieks ’number to the side of the trough behind their own goal area. The Latvian also played in Monsters’ shirt during his career.
Number 80 will be raised to the ceiling of the Blue Jackets Hall in Friday night’s match against Arizona Coyotes. The Kivlenieks family arrives on the scene to drop the opening disc of the match.
The entire team of blue shirts will play the beginning of season number 80 printed on their helmets.
.
