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Matiss Kivlenieks Passes Away At 24

at CDT | by 12 Comments

The hockey world is in mourning today, as a member of the NHL fraternity has passed away far too early. Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night. Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports that an autopsy revealed that Kivlenieks died of chest trauma due to a fireworks mortar blast, not the head injury that was originally reported. He was 24.

Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson released a statement:

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. 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, an undrafted goaltender from Latvia, played in six games for the Blue Jackets over the past two years, posting an .899 save percentage and a 2-2-2 record. He reached a new level of renown when he earned a shutout against Team Canada at the recent World Championships, the first time Latvia had ever defeated the hockey powerhouse at the event.

The staff here at PHR joins in the rest of the hockey community, sending our condolences to the Kivlenieks family.

An earlier version of this story included comments from Novi, Michigan police that indicated Kivlenieks died because of a head injury from a fall while exiting a hot tub. 

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