“A loss for the entire Latvian nation” – Sport – svenska.yle.fi

Columbus Blue Jackets goalkeeper Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, is dead. According to information, the light was hit by a fireworks display in the chest on Sunday – and the hockey world is in mourning.

It was the Latvian ice hockey association that brought the tragic news of Kivleniek’s death on Monday.

– We send our deepest condolences to goalkeeper Matiss Kivleniek’s family, friends and teammates. With his fighting spirit, work ethic and attitude, he was a true role model in the sport.

– Matiss’ death is not only a great loss for Latvian ice hockey, but also for the whole nation, was written in a statement.

Kivlenieks debuted in the NHL in January last year and played a total of eight games for Columbus.

– We are shocked and sad. We express our condolences to his mother Astrida, his family and his friends in this terrible time. “Kivi” was an outstanding young man who received every day and every person with a smile, stated club president John Davidson.

– Life is so precious and can be so fragile. Hug your loved ones today, wrote the club’s general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen on Twitter.

Firework accident on National Day

The news agency AP states that it is a firework accident that is behind the death. Kivlenieks will die during Sunday night’s celebration of the American National Day, in Novi, Michigan.

The local police said that a firework display had begun to tilt for some reason and fired at the people on the spot. Kivlenieks was in a hot tub with others and tried to escape.

A forensic pathologist later determined that he had died from a fireworks display that hit him in the chest. Earlier on Monday, a fall accident was stated to be the cause, but the information was denied after the autopsy.