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The NHL community and hockey world as a whole were stunned and saddened when it was announced that 24-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died on Sunday after a tragic fireworks accident in Michigan.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s with a very heavy heart that we share the news that goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night at the age of 24.<\/p>\n
We are heartbroken. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.<\/p>\n
Rest in peace, Kivi.https:\/\/t.co\/o2EDRgxQ5A pic.twitter.com\/FCBr0ZaH25<\/p>\n
\u2014 Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
In wake of the tragedy, there's been an outpouring of mourning, condolences and remembrance from those across the hockey world.<\/p>\n
Former Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno had nothing but nice things to say about his ex-teammate.<\/p>\n
Asked former Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno about what Matiss Kivlenieks was like as a person. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what he said \ud83d\udc94 pic.twitter.com\/P0ksIcrOik<\/p>\n
\u2014 Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing I loved and appreciated about him was he had a great smile and always was in a good mood,\u201d Foligno said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know it\u2019s cliche but that\u2019s exactly the kind of guy he was. Just enjoying his life as a 24-year-old living out his dream and you can tell he didn\u2019t take one day for granted which makes this tragedy even more hard to bear! Praying for his family and all of us who knew him. Hard day for a lot of people in that organization.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing all the beautiful tributes to Matiss only further cements what kind of person he was! What a tragic loss for all of us who knew him and I am thinking and praying for his family. Heaven gained a darn good goalie and better person\u2026 Just, way too soon.
RIP Kivi! \ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude22\u2764\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/k2XWVXmfYE<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nick Foligno (@NickFoligno) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc94 https:\/\/t.co\/pPyr7eHqSd<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nick Foligno (@NickFoligno) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
Another former teammate and current member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, David Savard, learned about Kivlenieks death via a text from Foligno, and called the incident \u201cextremely sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
David Savard says he learned of former teammate Matiss Kivlenieks' death in a text from Nick Foligno: "That was a brutal wake up this morning. He was a good kid with a lot of talent who was going to be a part of the team next year or in the future. It's extremely sad."<\/p>\n
\u2014 Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
Blue Jackets forward Max Domi also chimed in:<\/p>\n
Love you brother. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com\/0qqLSDDosI<\/p>\n
\u2014 Max Domi (@maxdomi) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
Fans of the Blue Jackets at \u2018R Bar\u2019 \u2014 a hockey pub located near the home of the team, Nationwide Arena \u2014 participated in an 80-second moment of silence in honour of Kivlenieks\u2019 jersey number.<\/p>\n
#CBJ fans gathered at R Bar just observed an 80-second moment of silence in honor of Matiss Kivlenieks, who of course wore No. 80 with the Jackets pic.twitter.com\/dvHUgPjQG7<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
A moment of silence was also held in Montreal at the Bell Centre ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night.<\/p>\n
A moment of silence for Matiss Kivlenieks ahead of the SCF game. #CBJ<\/p>\n
pic.twitter.com\/OjRo4Bsvez<\/p>\n
\u2014 CBJ Coverage (@CBJcoverage) July 6, 2021<\/p>\n
Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen shared a sentimental tweet after Kivlenieks\u2019 sudden death.<\/p>\n
Life is so precious and can be so fragile. Hug your loved ones today. RIP Matiss, you will be dearly missed.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jarmo Kekalainen (@jkekalainen) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
In addition to Foligno, Domi, Savard and Kekalainen, many others weighed in on the devastating news.<\/p>\n
I just can't stop thinking about the tragic passing of Matiss Kivlenieks.
A freak accident. Here one day, gone the next.
Just like that.
Life is so short and there are no guarantees.<\/p>\n
We would all do well to enjoy the little things today.<\/p>\n
In the end, they are the big things.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jackie Redmond (@Jackie_Redmond) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
Shocking, devastating, and heartbreaking loss of wonderful human being with radiant smile, a tremendous young man, Matiss Kivlenieks will be deeply missed. May his memory be a blessing for his mom, Astrida, his teammates, friends, and family. #matiss<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jay Grossman (@Jay_Grossman) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
Matiss Kivlenieks will forever be a Columbus Blue Jacket. Number 80 will never be forgotten. #CBJ<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mark Scheig (@markscheig) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Matiss Kivlenieks and send our heartfelt condolences to the Kivlenieks family and to all of his teammates and friends at this time.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll miss you so much, Kivi. Rest In Peace.https:\/\/t.co\/JbUyyDNLVg pic.twitter.com\/000cF0Kl4j<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) July 5, 2021<\/p>\n
Kivlenieks clearly had a positive impact on so many he interacted with. His death has truly shaken up the hockey world.<\/p>\n