Hockey community mourns the death of Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks
By Mark Powell
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.
Correction: Medical examiner says Matiss Kivlenieks, goalie for NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, died yesterday of chest trauma caused by a fireworks mortar blast. An earlier tweet misstated the cause of death and has been deleted.
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) July 5, 2021
“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.
It’s with a very heavy heart that we share the news that goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night at the age of 24.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 5, 2021
We are heartbroken. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace, Kivi.https://t.co/o2EDRgxQ5A pic.twitter.com/FCBr0ZaH25
Asked former Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno about what Matiss Kivlenieks was like as a person.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) July 5, 2021
Here’s what he said 💔 pic.twitter.com/P0ksIcrOik
FLASHBACK
— Fuck Dave Portnoy ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) July 5, 2021
January 19, 2020 #CBJ vs #NYR
First career NHL win for Matiss Kivlenieks
R.I.P. Matiss pic.twitter.com/PBEaSjMfw6
Matiss Kivlenieks will forever be a Columbus Blue Jacket. Number 80 will never be forgotten. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) July 5, 2021
When I committed to running this account, I never thought I would have to spread such horrifying news.
— The CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) July 5, 2021
Matiss Kivlenieks has tragically passed away at the age of 24.
Blue Jackets President John Davidson, on Kivlenieks’ passing: “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…” 1/2
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) July 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/lilstutzle/status/1412026335111827461
David Savard on his Instagram offered his thoughts on Matiss Kivlenieks. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/e0szSGr84F
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) July 5, 2021
Heartbreaking news this morning that Matiss Kivlenieks passed away. The #NHLAlumni Assoc. joins the entire hockey family in mourning the loss of Matiss. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire @BlueJacketsNHL organization during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/UR1cGzcNWy
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) July 5, 2021
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.