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No Charges Filed In Goalie Kivlenieks' Fireworks Death

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks (80) has the puck in his hand as he makes a save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers.
Kathy Willens
/
AP
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks (80) has the puck in his hand as he makes a save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers in 2020. Kivlenieks died on July 5, 2021.

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.

The Associated Press