The Washington Capitals traded for Pierre-Luc Dubois On Wednesday and a day later, the team’s new first-line center back already has his number in the club.
Dubois will be the first player in Capitals history to wear No. 80, and for a sweet reason.
Since 2021, Dubois has worn the number in honor of his late former Columbus Blue Jackets teammate, goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks. Kivlenieks died at age 24 in a tragic fireworks accident after traveling to Novi, Michigan, for the wedding of goalie coach Manny Legace’s daughter.
While at the Legace residence, Kivlenieks was hit in the chest by an errant firework during a Fourth of July celebration. His teammate Elvis Merzlikins was also at the event. He was hugging his pregnant wife, Aleksandra, about 20 to 30 feet behind Kivlenieks when he was hit.
“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Matiss Kivlenieks, and extend our deepest condolences to his mother, Astrida, his family and friends during this devastating time,” Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson said at the time. it’s a statement. “Kivi was an outstanding young man who greeted everyone with a smile every day and the impact he had during his four years in our organization will not be forgotten.”
“I think our players that played with him said it best, that he always came to the court with a smile on his face and a great positive attitude,” Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.
Life is so precious and can be so fragile. Hug your loved ones today. RIP Matiss, we will miss you so much.
-Jarmo Kekalainen (@jkekalainen) July 5, 2021
Dubois posted a photo of Kivlenieks on Instagram with the caption: “RIP ‘Kivvi’. “You were a great person and an incredible friend.”
The center attended Kivlenieks’ funeral on July 15, 2021. News of Dubois’ number change emerged on August 5, a month and a day after Kivlenieks’ death.
“I just wanted his legacy to continue to grow,” Dubois told the Winnipeg Sun at the tribute. “I just wanted to keep the number 80, because he’s not here to wear it, I want to wear it for him. “It’s the number I want for the rest of my career now.”
Dubois was a teammate of Kivlenieks on the Blue Jackets for two seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21) before the center was traded to the Winnipeg Jets on January 23, 2021 for forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic.
The native of Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, began his career wearing number 18 with the Blue Jackets. He switched to number 13 with the Winnipeg Jets. He has worn 80 since the 2021-22 season with the Jets (2021-23) and Los Angeles Kings (2023-24).
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