Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died Sunday from an apparent head injury he suffered during a fall. He was 24.
Police in Novi, Michigan, initially told The Associated Press that Kivlenieks slipped and fell while fleeing a hot tub due to a "firework malfunction" from a mortar-style firework and hit his head on concrete. Following an autopsy by the Oakland County Medical Examiner, the AP confirmed that the cause of death of from chest trauma caused by a firework mortar blast.
Earlier in the day, in a statement, the Blue Jackets called it a "tragic accident," adding that medical personnel arrived at the scene to treat Kivlenieks but he died "a short time later."
“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. “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.”
Life is so precious and can be so fragile. Hug your loved ones today. RIP Matiss, you will be dearly missed.
— Jarmo Kekalainen (@jkekalainen) July 5, 2021
The Riga, Latvia, native was in Ohio last week for Mid-Ohio, an IndyCar road race, and partook in an off-roading ride-along with IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi. He had just returned from Latvia and planned to spend the summer in Columbus to train. It is unclear why Kivlenieks was in Michigan at the time of his death.
"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.”
Known as "Kivi" to teammates, Kivlenieks was signed as a free agent in May 2017 by the Blue Jackets. He made his NHL debut on Jan. 19, 2020, and stopped 31 of 32 shots for a 2-1 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. In eight career NHL games, he compiled a 2-2-2 record with a 3.09 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. This season he made two starts, both against the Red Wings, going 1-1-0 with a .901 save percentage. With the Blue Jackets AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, he posted a 33-35-9 mark, 3.31 GAA, .896 SV% and three shutouts in 85 career games
"I got a text from Nick Foligno this morning," David Savard, a member of the Blue Jackets up until the trade deadline, said in a translated interview. "We played together a long time. That’s extremely sad news. That’s a guy who was close to the teams, he traveled with the team all year long (as a member of the taxi squad). That was a brutal wake-up this morning. That was a good kid with a lot of talent who was going to be a part of the team next year or in the future. That’s extremely sad."
In May, Kivlenieks suited up for Latvia at the 2021 IIHF World Championships where he went 1-2 with a 2.18 GAA, .922 SV% and one shutout in four games. That one win was a 2-0 shutout over the eventual champions, Canada. He stopped all 38 shots he saw.
Teammates and the hockey world reacted on Twitter to the tragic news:
Words are hard to find right now, but the day we put the same jersey on meant that we would be family forever. When my kids play Kivi “the kid” in goal it will have a greater meaning!! RIP kid, love you brother 😢 #cbj #familyforever pic.twitter.com/J2te4QuAB9
— Nathan Gerbe (@NathanGerbe14) July 5, 2021
Seeing all the beautiful tributes to Matiss only further cements what kind of person he was! What a tragic loss for all of us who knew him and I am thinking and praying for his family. Heaven gained a darn good goalie and better person… Just, way too soon.
— Nick Foligno (@NickFoligno) July 5, 2021
RIP Kivi! 🙏😢❤️ https://t.co/k2XWVXmfYE
Devastating loss for the #CBJ family, the fans and the entire hockey community. But above all terrible loss for the Kivlenieks family. This was a great young man that is gone way too soon. Rest in peace Kivi.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/o0IFjgAUI2
— Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre aka “The Hyphenator” (@JLGP34) July 5, 2021
Heartbroken for his family and all those who knew a special person and a great goaltender, Matiss Kivlenieks. pic.twitter.com/ogWSJnmmxx
— Tony Brown (@TonyBrownPxP) July 5, 2021
Rest In Peace Kivi. You were one of the nicest people I’ve met through this great game. We’ll all miss the energy and love for life that you possessed. My prayers go out to your family, hopefully they will see the impact you had on everyone who knew you ❤️#SticksOutForKivi pic.twitter.com/4YOA6VGusn
— Scott Harrington (@S_Harrington06) July 5, 2021
Love you brother. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/0qqLSDDosI
— Max Domi (@maxdomi) July 5, 2021
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 RIP Kivi. Love you buddy ❤️ https://t.co/AZjzZxaXsG
— Cam Atkinson (@CamAtkinson13) July 5, 2021