Elvis Merzlikins to honour late friend Matiss Kivlenieks with Latvian national team

It was announced earlier this week that Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins would suit up for Latvia at the 2022 IIHF World Hockey Championships.

Merzlikins wanted to do something to honour his late friend, teammate and countryman, Matiss Kivlenieks. Going forward, the 28-year-old will wear #80 for the Latvian national team for Kivlenieks.

The Riga native wanted the team to retire the number, but it wasn't possible, so Merzlikins decided to wear it in memory of Kivlenieks.

Merzlikins and Latvia will open their 2022 IIHF World Hockey Championship schedule on Friday, May 13th against the United States at 9:20 a.m. ET.

From now on #CBJ Elvis Merzlikins will wear #80 for Latvian national team. He told media that he wanted it to be retired for Kivi, but it wasn't possible. «One day his #80 and my surname will be at the rafters hanging as one and we will be together.»— Aivis Kalniņš (@aiviskalnins) May 5, 2022

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