NHL Goalie Matiss Kivlenieks of Columbus Blue Jackets Dies After Fireworks Accident
Goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks #80 of the Columbus Blue Jackets defends the net against the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena on May 8, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images

NHL goalie Matiss Kivlenieks from Columbus Blue Jackets died after a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July.

In a statement, Kivlenieks' team confirmed that the athlete succumbed to his injuries soon after help arrived in his residence in Oakland County, Michigan on Sunday night, ABC News reported.

Investigators earlier reported that Matiss Kivlenieks was believed to slip and hit his head on concrete while running from a malfunctioning firework.

However, a medical examiner in Michigan said the autopsy of the athlete revealed that the NHL goalie died of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast, CBS News reported.

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Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Matiss Kivlenieks Dies After Fireworks Accident

The tragic accident on the Fourth of July stemmed from a mortar-style firework that slightly tilted and started to fire toward people, according to police in Novi, Michigan, Seattle Times reported.

Authorities noted that the 24-year-old NHL goalie tried to get clear with several other people. Police Lieutenant Jason Meier said the fire department and the EMTs arrived at the residence shortly after 10 p.m.

Authorities took the NHL goalie to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Meier noted that there was a large gathering at Kivlenieks' home when they responded to the emergency calls. However, he did not have an estimate on how many people were present.

Matiss Kivlenieks' autopsy was revealed on Monday afternoon, July 5. Police underscored that investigation on the incident was still ongoing.

Meier noted that the autopsy result prompted them to re-interview some witnesses on the NHL goalie's tragic death.

"We're starting to put together a pretty good picture of what occurred," Meier said, adding that the police would try to interrogate as many people as they can who were present in the gathering.

Columbus Blue Jackets on Matiss Kivlenieks' Death

Matiss Kivlenieks' sudden death saddened his NHL team, Columbus Blue Jackets.

"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," Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations, John Davidson said in the statement.

Davidson described the NHL goalie as an "outstanding young man who greeted every day and everyone with a smile."

Kivlenieks' teammate and Columbus Blue Jackets' center, Nathan Gerbe, took to Twitter to express his sadness, calling the NHL goalie his "brother."

Former Blue Jackets Captain Nick Foligno also expressed his thoughts, saying that Kivlenieks' passing was a "tragic loss" for those who knew him. Foligno further noted that the goalie's death was "too soon."

Matiss Kivlenieks signed with Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2017. He debuted in NHL during the Blue Jackets match against New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden in January 2020. During the match, Kivlenieks stopped 31-of-32 shots to beat their opponent on a score of 2-1.

Apart from being an NHL goalie and playing for Columbus Blue Jackets, Matiss Kivlenieks also represented Latvia in several international tournaments, including the 2021 IIHF World Championships that happened this spring.

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WATCH: Autopsy: NHL Goalie Matiss Kivlenieks Killed by Firework at Novi House Party - From Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV