October 1, 2024, 4:58 PM
Just as he did three years ago, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins will honour a late teammate with his hockey mask.
On Monday, Merzlikins wore a new mask during the warmup of a pre-season game against the Washington Capitals that featured Johnny Gaudreau’s No. 13 around the chin area. Gaudreau, who played for the Blue Jackets, was killed along with his brother, Matthew, on Aug. 29 after they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes near their hometown in New Jersey.
Merzlikins, 30, posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the words “13” and a blue heart.
Merzlikins did a similar thing in 2021 in honour of fellow goalie and teammate Matiss Kivlenieks, who was killed in a fireworks accident at a party.
