Photo: Columbus Blue Jackets
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced plans for a private memorial service for goaltender Mattis Kivlenieks, as well as established a memorial fund in his honor.
On Monday, the team announced a private memorial service for friends and family will be held on Thursday, July 15th, at 10AM at the Schoedinger Funeral Home in Upper Arlington. The service will be live-streamed at bluejackets.com .
The CBJ also announced a Mattis Kivlenieks Memorial Fund, to support youth hockey initiatives in Columbus, and in "Kivi's'" native country of Latvia. The team will match donations to the fund, up to $80,000, in honor of his number 80.
Kivlenieks died on July 4th when he was struck in the chest by a wayward fireworks mortar, at the Michigan home of CBJ Goaltending Coach Manny Legace.
The case has been turned over to prosecutors in Michigan for possible charges.