(WWJ) -- The head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets is making his first public comments about the tragic death of goalie Matiss Kivlenieks.
The fireworks accident happened over the Fourth of July weekend at the home of former Detroit Red Wing Manny Legace, during a celebration following his daughter’s wedding.
Coach John Davidson says Legace, who is the team’s goaltending coach, considered 24-year-old Kivlenieks to be like a son.
“…We understand at this point that it was a day and a night of celebrating one of the most cherished events, a wedding. And the daughter of our goaltending coach Manny Legace — Sabrina — was married,” Davidson said. “It ended in a horrific accident that took the life of a wonderful young man.”
Kivlenieks was in a hot tub when a mortar-style firework tilted slightly and began firing toward guests. Kivlenieks and several other people attempted to flee the area, but police say Kivlenieks was possibly hit in the chest by the firework.
Related
An autopsy from the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday revealed the cause of death to be chest trauma.
A moment of silence to honor the life of Kivlenieks was observed earlier this week prior to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have made grief counselors available to those who need them, and the team is working with the Kivlenieks family in Latvia to make funeral service arrangements.