Mattias Kivlenieks ‘accident happened at the Columbus Blue Jackets’ goaltending coach

Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks was at the home of the Columbus goaltender coach, Manny Heritage, when the fireworks accident that resulted in his death on Sunday, several sources confirmed to ESPN.

Kivlenieks and teammate Elvis merzlikins traveled to Novi, Mich., where Legace lives, to celebrate July 4, as well as Legace’s daughter’s wedding over the holiday weekend.

Legace, 48, has worked with the Blue Jackets since 2018 and enjoyed an 11-year NHL career, including winning a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2002.

An autopsy revealed on Monday that Kivlenieks died from chest trauma caused by mortar-style fireworks at a backyard celebration. Kivlenieks was 24 years old.

Lt. Jason Meier of the Novi Police Department told ESPN on Monday that Kivlenieks was in a hot tub and tried to extricate himself with several other people, Meier added that all signs were that the incident was an “accident. tragic”. The percussion injury caused significant damage to Kivlenieks heart and lungs.

Kivlenieks was close to Merzlikins, a Latvian compatriot, and his wife, Aleksandra. Kivlenieks lived with the couple while they stayed in the United States during the summer.

Support poured in from all over the hockey world for Kivlenieks and the Blue Jackets organization on Monday. Fans brought homemade signs, flowers, sticks and balloons to the front door of the Nationwide Arena for a makeshift memorial. A minute of silence was observed in memory of Kivlenieks ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens Monday evening at the Bell Center. Lightning coach Jon Cooper commented on Kivlenieks after his side lost in overtime.

“I just want to offer our sincere condolences to the Kivlenieks family,” Cooper said. “It is a terrible tragedy for anyone, any family to go through this. But someone in the NHL family, as close as we are all like the teams that go against each other, on the part from all the Lightning, our condolences. ”

Kivlenieks, who was not drafted, signed with Columbus as a free agent in 2017. He made his NHL debut at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2020, stopping 31 of 32 shots to beat the New York Rangers 2-1.

The goalkeeper started in two games last season and was expected to be part of the Blue Jackets’ plans for the 2021 season. He recently appeared for Latvia at the World Championships, which were hosted by Latvia.

In a statement, Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson called Kivlenieks “an exceptional young man who greeted everyone and everyone with a smile every day.”

“The impact he had during his four years with our organization will not be forgotten,” Davidson said.

This sentiment was echoed by the former Blue Jackets captain Nick foligno.

One thing I liked and appreciated about him was that he had a big smile on his face and was always in a good mood, “Foligno told ESPN.” I know it’s cliché, but that’s exactly the point. kind of guy he was. Just enjoying his 24 year old living his dream, and you can tell he hasn’t taken a day for granted, which makes this tragedy even more difficult to bear. Pray for his family and for all who knew him. Difficult day for a lot of people in this organization. “