COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Watch: Blue Jackets celebrate Matiss Kivlenieks before first game of 2021-2022 season

Kyle Brown
The Columbus Dispatch

Before Thursday night's opener against the Arizona Coyotes, the Columbus Blue Jackets paid tribute to Matiss Kivlenieks.

Kivlenieks died July 4 after being struck in the chest by a fireworks mortar shell while attending a wedding at the offseason home of Blue Jackets goaltending coach Manny Legace in Novi, Michigan. 

Matiss Kivlenieks is honored prior to the Columbus Blue Jackets season opening NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

Members of his family traveled from Riga, Latvia to attend the ceremony.

A banner was unveiled that featured his name and number 80, which will be up for the remainder of the season. Coyotes alternate captain Andrew Ladd and Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner joined Kivlenieks' family at center ice for the ceremonial puck drop.

Watch the entire ceremony: 

'Unspeakable tragedy':Columbus Blue Jackets front office, players try to deal with death of Matiss Kivlenieks

More:In his final interview, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks couldn't hide excitement for future

More:Investigation continues into death of Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks

Get more Columbus Blue Jackets news by listening to our podcasts