Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died Sunday night after a fireworks mishap at a Novi holiday party at the home of former Red Wings goalie Manny Legace.
An initial autopsy report determined Kivlenieks, 24, died from a "percussive injury," the extreme force from the powerful blast of exploding fireworks, Novi police confirmed Monday afternoon.
The force of the blast caused chest trauma, and Kivlenieks suffered major damage to his heart and lungs, according to the autopsy report from the county medical examiner. It has not been determined if Kivlenieks was hit by fireworks, Novi Police Lt.