Fireworks blast kills Latvia’s Kivlenieks
LOS ANGELES: Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks of Latvia died on Sunday after what the National Hockey League team described in a Monday announcement as “a tragic accident.” He was 24.
The team said Kivlenieks appeared to have suffered a head injury in a fall but ESPN reported a Michigan medical examiner’s preliminary autopsy showed Kivlenieks died of chest trauma caused by a fireworks blast.
The incident took place in Novi, a suburb northwest of Detroit.
“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Matiss Kivlenieks,” said John Davidson, the Blue Jackets president of hockey operations.
“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 organisation will not be forgotten.”
Kivlenieks, who signed with Columbus as a free agent in May 2017, went 2-2-2 with a 3.09 goals-against average in eight career appearances with the Blue Jackets.
The Riga native made his NHL debut at Madison Square Garden on Jan 19, 2020, stopping 31 of 32 shots in a 2-1 Columbus victory over the New York Rangers.
“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.”
At this year’s Ice Hockey World Championship in Latvia, Kivlenieks went 1-2 with a shutout victory over
four games, blanking eventual champions Canada 2-0 in group play.
“The NHL was saddened to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.
“On behalf of the NHL family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and teammates in both the Blue Jackets organisation 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.”