Blue Jackets' Kivlenieks dies at 24

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Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks has died in an accident at age 24, the team announced Monday.

Police initially believed Kivlenieks died after slipping and hitting his head on concrete while fleeing a hot tub because of a firework malfunction. But an autopsy determined the cause of death was chest trauma due to a fireworks mortar blast, according to Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch.

"There wasn't a lot of external damage," police Lt. Jason Meier said. "He had massive internal damage, so we're working under the theory that it was the concussive blast of the firework."

Meier said the accident occurred when a mortar tube accidentally tilted toward the hot tub and fired.

"One fired over their head, and they began to flee the hot tub, and then the second one came in and exploded in the vicinity of Mr. Kivlenieks," Meier said.

Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson issued a statement on Kivlenieks' death.

“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," 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."

Kivlenieks appeared in two games with the Blue Jackets in 2020-21 and six contests the season prior. He spent most of the past two campaigns with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters.

The native of Riga, Latvia, also represented his country on the international stage. He posted a .922 save percentage and a 2.18 goals-against average in four games at the 2021 World Championship in his hometown, including a 38-save shutout over the heavily favored Canadian squad.

Columbus originally signed Kivlenieks as an undrafted free agent in 2017.