Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died Sunday night from what the organization described as a “tragic accident” with fireworks.
Kivlenieks, 24, died of chest trauma after he was struck by an errant fireworks mortar during a party at a private home. Police in Novi, Mich., said the firework tilted slightly and fired toward a group of people.
Kivlenieks was in a hot tub and tried to escape the oncoming firework, police Lt. Jason Meier said, but was hit in the chest.
Authorities earlier said the Latvian had died of an apparent head injury during a fall, but an autopsy clarified the cause of death.
“At the moment, we’re pretty certain this was a tragic accident,” Meier said.
EMTs arrived at the home shortly after 10 p.m. and transported Kivlenieks to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Matiss Kivlenieks, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his mother, Astrida, his family and friends during this devastating time,” Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson said in a statement. “Kivi was an outstanding young man who greeted every day and everyone with a smile and the impact he had during his four years with our organization will not be forgotten.”
Kivlenieks, who had recently competed for Latvia at the IIHF World Championships, started two games for Columbus this past season. The undrafted netminder made six NHL starts and eight appearances dating back to 2019-20. He was expected to compete for more playing time next season.
“Life is so precious and can be so fragile,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen tweeted. “Hug your loved ones today. RIP Matiss, you will be dearly missed.”
After signing with the Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2017, Kivlenieks made his NHL debut against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 19, 2020. He turned aside 31 of the 32 shots he faced to lift Columbus to a 2-1 victory.
Kivlenieks, the 2017 USHL Player of the Year, had a 2-2-2 record in his NHL career.
“The National Hockey League was saddened to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “On behalf of the NHL family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and teammates in both the Blue Jackets organization and his native country of Latvia. His love for life and passion for the game will be deeply missed by all those who have been fortunate to have him as a teammate and a friend.”
— With AP