Pierre-Luc Dubois Changes Number To Honor Matiss Kivlenieks

Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois will be changing from #13 to #80 to honor late Columbus Blue Jackets' goaltender, Matiss Kivlenieks.

New season = new #NHLJets numbers! ✈️@18Dubois - #80@natebeaulieu - #28@BDillon04 – #5@nateschmidt29 - #88
Mikhail Berdin - #30@rileynash20 – #20@Pogo_11 – #22@MikeyEyssimont– #23
Luke Johnson – #47#GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/JqEXMLj1W0

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) August 4, 2021

Kivlenieks tragically passed away from chest trauma after being struck by fireworks at goaltending coach Manny Legace's house. Fellow Blue Jackets' goaltender Elvis Merzlikins also stated Kivlenieks was a hero because he shielded and saved him, his wife and unborn son before the tragedy occurred.

Dubois and Kivlenieks were teammates until the former was traded to the Jets last season. Although their time as teammates was not particularly long, it is clear that Kivelnieks has left an impact on him. 

At the end of the day, this is a very nice gesture from Dubois.