Hockey community mourns the death of Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks passed away on Sunday night in a fireworks accident. He was just 24 years old.

Kivlenieks died in a Fourth of July accident, after trying to flee from a hot tub due to a fireworks malfunction. Police in Novi, Mich. said Kivlenieks hit his head on concrete after slipping.

“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Kivi, 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.”

The 24-year-old started in two games for the Blue Jackets last season. He also played for Latvia in the IIHF World Championships.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Hockey world mourns loss of Matiss Kivlenieks

The hockey community has shown an outpouring of support for now-deceased Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks and his family.

https://twitter.com/lilstutzle/status/1412026335111827461

There were many, many more as the NHL and hockey community as a whole was shocked by such sad news.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a separate statement on behalf of the league:

“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,” Bettman said in the statement. “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.”

Our thoughts are with Kivlenieks’ family during this tough time.