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His teammates shared their condolences on social media throughout the day.

\"PHOTO:
Kathy Willens/AP, FILE
PHOTO: In this Jan. 19, 2020, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks is shown during the second period of an NHL hockey game in New York.
>

Blue Jackets center Nathan Gerbe tweeted a photo of his kids playing on the ice with Kivlenieks.

\"Words are hard to find right now, but the day we put the same jersey on meant that we would be family forever. When my kids play Kivi 'the kid' in goal it will have a greater meaning!!\" Gerbe wrote.

John Davidson, the Blue Jackets' president of hockey operations, gave his condolences to Kivlenieks' family.

\"Kivi was an outstanding young man who greeted every day and everyone with a smile, and the impact he had during his four years with our organization will not be forgotten,\" Davidson said in a statement.

The NHL paid tribute to Kivlenieks during Monday night's game four of the Stanley Cup final with a moment of silence before the match began.

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