Jets' Pierre-Luc Dubois to wear No. 80 in honor of late Matiss Kivlenieks

The hockey community continues to mourn the loss of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, who tragically died in a fireworks-related accident last month. 

Per the NHL's website, Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois will change his jersey from No. 13 to No. 80 to honor Kivlenieks, his former Columbus teammate who wore No. 80 during his brief pro career. 

Kivlenieks, who would've turned 25 years old later this month, passed away July 4 after he was accidentally struck by a firework at the home of Columbus goaltending coach Manny Legace. At a memorial service, fellow Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins explained that Kivlenieks put himself in danger to protect both Merzlikins and Merzlikins' pregnant wife. 

"He saved my son, he saved my wife and he saved me," Merzlikins emotionally said of Kivlenieks. 

Dubois was traded from Columbus to Winnipeg on Jan. 23 of this year. He recorded nine goals and 12 assists in 46 regular-season games in 2020-21. 

While police requested no charges related to Kivlenieks' death and called the incident a "tragic accident," the case was sent to a prosecutor for a second review.