NHL Goalie Matiss Kivlenieks Dies In Fourth Of July Accident

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, died on the Fourth of July of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast in the Detroit suburb of Novi, Michigan.

According to the police department, Kivlenieks and others at a private party quickly tried to get out of a hot tub when fireworks were headed in their direction. Kivlenieks fell and hit his head.

Early media reports said that Kivlenieks had likely died from an apparent head injury.

The preliminary autopsy results were reported by the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office.

The fire department and paramedics responded to the home at about 10:15 p.m. Kivlenieks was pronounced dead after being transported to Ascension Providence Hospital in Novi.

"There appears to have been a fireworks malfunction, which caused a group of people to flee from the hot tub, including the deceased, who slipped and hit his head on the concrete," Lt. Jason Meier of the Novi Police Department told ESPN Monday.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Kivlenieks joined the Blue Jackets organization as a free agent in 2017. The Latvian goalie has played in eight career NHL games, including two starts for Columbus in the 2020-21 season. Kivlenieks has two career wins and 187 saves against 208 shots.

In his NHL debut on Jan. 19, 2020, Kivlenieks saved 31 of 32 shots in a victory over the New York Rangers.

"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 played for Latvia at the 2021 IIHF World Championships.