It was on July 4 that Columbus Matiss Kivlenieks died in connection with a national day celebration in the USA at the home of the team's goalkeeping coach.
The cause of death was a chest trauma caused by an explosion from a fireworks display.
Teammate and compatriot Elvis Merzlikins told the ensuing memorial service that Kivlenieks "died like a hero" after protecting Merzlikin's pregnant wife from one of the projectiles.
The news put an entire hockey world in mourning.
- I found out by my wife sending a text message.
It came as a shock.
He was a young guy about to establish himself in the NHL.
It's so crazy, says Växjö's goalkeeper Janis Kalnins to SVT Sport.
29-year-old Kalnins is new for the season and will guard the box office since the Lakers got rid of the gold duo from last year: World Cup goalkeeper Viktor Fasth who put the picking glove on the shelf, and Erik Källgren who after the success in the playoffs signed an NHL contract with Toronto.
"Died because of a stupid thing"
In May and June - just one month before the accident - Kalnins and Kivleniek's WC played together at home in Riga.
- I might not say that we were close friends, but we knew each other from the national team and have met a few times over the years.
During the World Cup, he was one of those I talked to the most.
He was a really nice and funny guy, purposeful, and never tried to impress anyone by talking but rather by his actions.
It's so crazy what happened.
How good could he have been?
- I think he had become a stable NHL goalkeeper.
He had all the conditions and Columbus had plans for him.
The lesson to be learned from this is that anything can happen so it is important to enjoy life.
This was great news in the whole hockey world. How were the reactions at home in Latvia?
- Of course it was everywhere and everyone talked about it.
I think people were shocked, but also angry.
At least I was angry for a few days.
It was tragic what happened, but at the same time so unnecessary if you think about it.
They did not have the right security measures and because of a stupid thing, a young guy died.
I think many in Latvia felt the same way, says Kalnins.
Matiss Kivlenieks turned 24 and made eight NHL appearances for Columbus.
REPORTAGE: See the entire SVT meeting with Janis Kalnins
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SVT Sport meets Växjö's new Latvian goalkeeper, Janis Kalnins.
Photo: SVT