Dear Kivi:
It has been one year without you in the net. A year without you here. A year without the best goalie to suit up for the Columbus Blue Jackets. A great human at heart and a better hero to protect friends and family.
Kivi, we’re the same age. Now, I look to you in two ways: from up above and from the ice. From the sacrifice made last year to what it would be writing this piece and what could have been. A year has done a lot without you here, but the world has not forgot about you.
For the legacy left in the locker room and the fund created; with Merzi, and to having PLD do what they have done is one thing; it’s another when the hockey world acknowledge you. The world and the sticks left outside their homes; jerseys changed to honor you; children named after you; and the awards to recognize your life are all amazing. The world isn’t perfect but Kivi, a year has been so short and it’s felt so long in the absence of you.
The only thing that isn’t right and that is missing is to honor and retire your jersey to the rafters of Nationwide Arena, but that isn’t my position to be in the organization to fight for that. For the best goalie to play, this must be done in his memory as the unknown is there and the heroics of this individual must be shown for all.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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