In October, the Columbus Blue Jackets honored brothers Matiss Kivlenieks and Elvis Merzlikins at their season opening game. The team paid tribute to Kivlenieks, who tragically passed away earlier that year in a fireworks accident, by raising a banner bearing his name and jersey number, 13, at Nationwide Arena. The emotional ceremony was attended by the brothers’ wives, parents, and other family members. Kivlenieks’ young daughter, Noa, aged 2, was seen pointing up at the rafters, showing her connection to her late father. The event was a heartfelt remembrance of a beloved member of the hockey community.
Meredith, Kivlenieks’ widow and the mother of their daughter Noa, expressed her gratitude to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the special tribute to her late husband. She shared her feelings on Instagram, thanking the team for a beautiful night celebrating the memory of Johnny, as he was known to his loved ones. Nationwide Arena was described as a second home for the family, with Meredith feeling a sense of closeness to her late husband when she is there. The emotional impact of the tribute was evident in Noa’s eyes, as she seemed to understand the significance of the event in honoring her father’s memory.
The Columbus Blue Jackets community came together to show their support for the Kivlenieks family during the tribute ceremony. The presence of the brothers’ wives, parents, and other family members at the season opening game highlighted the close-knit nature of the hockey family. The raising of the banner with Johnny’s name and number symbolized the lasting legacy of a player who had made a positive impact on and off the ice. The team’s gesture was a moving tribute to a beloved teammate who was taken too soon, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Meredith’s words on Instagram reflected her deep connection to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and the hockey community in general. She expressed gratitude for the support and love shown to her and her family during a challenging time of loss and grief. The acknowledgment of Nationwide Arena as a place where she felt close to her late husband emphasized the significance of hockey in their lives. The emotional bond between the Kivlenieks family and the Columbus Blue Jackets was evident in the tribute ceremony and Meredith’s heartfelt response to the team’s gesture.
The presence of Noa, the young daughter of Johnny Kivlenieks, added a poignant element to the tribute ceremony at Nationwide Arena. Her innocence and connection to her late father were symbolized by her pointing up at the rafters during the banner raising. The image of a 2-year-old child honoring the memory of her father, with the support of her family and the hockey community, was a powerful reminder of the impact that athletes have on their loved ones and fans. Noa’s presence at the event served as a touching tribute to her father and a reminder of the legacy he left behind.
Overall, the tribute to Matiss Kivlenieks and the support shown to his family by the Columbus Blue Jackets organization highlighted the importance of community and remembrance in the world of sports. The emotional ceremony at Nationwide Arena brought together players, fans, and loved ones to honor the memory of a talented young athlete who was taken too soon. The event served as a testament to the lasting impact that athletes have on those around them and the enduring legacy they leave behind. The Kivlenieks family’s gratitude for the support shown to them during the tribute reflected the strength of the bonds formed within the hockey community.
