Death of Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks ruled accidental

Associated PressDecember 01, 2021 - 7:54pm

Columbus Blue Jackets fans visit a makeshift memorial in front of Nationwide Arena Monday, July 5, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio, to remember Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks who died of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast in what authorities described Monday as a tragic accident on the Fourth of July. (Jay LaPrete/AP)

NOVI, Mich. — No criminal charges will be filed in the fireworks-related death of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks at a Detroit-area home during a July 4 celebration.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday the death has officially been ruled accidental, and the case is now closed.

The accident occurred Sunday, July 4, at the Novi home of Manny Legace, who was Kivlenieks’ goalie coach with Columbus. The 24-year-old Kivlenieks died of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast.

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