Merzlikins
was born at Riverside Hospital. His middle name honors Matiss Kivlenieks, a friend and Blue Jackets goalie who died July 4 as the result of a tragic fireworks incident. They’ve only been in Columbus a little more than two years, but they already have a history here.
In his two seasons with the Blue
Jackets, Merzlikins has had a silhouette of the Columbus skyline stitched into his new gear to honor his NHL home city.
Signing a five-year, $27 million contract extension Tuesday just cemented it as official. Columbus, like Lugano, is now "home" to Merzlikins and his family — including Kobe, their pet Cavapoo.
“I like the city, I like where I am, I like the people who are here,” said Merzlikins, who is under contract now through 2026-27. “In my career, I’ve played on just a few teams. Quite honhe est, professionally, I played (for) just two teams. When I played in Lugano, that was my home. That is my home in my heart, and now Columbus is getting (to be) my home, so I am really happy I am still here with a team who (chose) me in the draft, who has believed in me and my game.”
Don’t be surprised if the skyline silhouette pads stick around. In his viewpoint, at age 27, Elvis is just getting started and isn’t anywhere near ready to leave the building where the Blue Jackets play hockey. and his family are home now. “Of course, I had to ask my wife what she thinks, because for me, it’s really important … her opinion,” Merzlikins said. “Obviously, she is the one who is going to spend most of the time at home when I am on the road trips, and we like Columbus. She really likes Columbus. She feels home here. She’s happy … I asked her opinion, what she thinks, and that was a pretty quick and easy decision. We wanted to stay here.” bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger