NHL mourning loss of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender after ‘tragic accident’

MICHIGAN (NEWS 1130) — A medical examiner in Michigan says an autopsy has determined that Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast, and not a fall as authorities previously reported. He was 24.

The team said earlier Monday that Kivlenieks’ passing occurred Sunday in tragic accident after he suffered an apparent head injury in a fall and later succumbed to his injuries.

Police in Novi, Michigan, said the mortar-style firework tilted slightly and started to fire toward people nearby Sunday night. The 24-year-old Kivleniek was in a hot tub and tried to get clear with several other people, police Lt. Jason Meier said.

The fire department and EMTs got to the private home shortly after 10 p.m. and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Meier said. The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office reported preliminary autopsy results Monday afternoon.

Prior to the autopsy, police said Kivlenieks was believed to have slipped and hit his head on concrete while running from a malfunctioning firework.

“At the moment, we’re pretty certain this was a tragic accident,” Meier said.

“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.”

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen tweeted, “Matiss, you will be dearly missed.”

While former teammate Nick Foligno called Kivlenieks’ death a “tragic loss.”

Kivlenieks played behind Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins in Columbus this past season as he made two starts in the NHL, recording a 3.40 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. The native of Riga, Latvia, also made eight appearances in the AHL, where he put up a 2.25 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

This spring, Kivlenieks also helped host Latvia stun Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, making 38 saves for a 2-0 shutout on the opening day of the tournament. He finished the event with a 2.18 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and one shutout in four games.

In 2019-20, the undrafted netminder suited up for six NHL games, posting a 2.95 goals against-average and .898 save percentage. Kivlenieks signed with the Blue Jackets as a free agent in May 2017.

– With files from The Associated Press and Sportsnet 650

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