Gone Before We Knew Him

I get there are a lot of things to be thankful for and proud of when it comes to July 4 celebrations in the United States, but it's long past due that allowing untrained people to handle fireworks has to stop. This practice may have cost the Columbus Blue Jackets and the country of Latvia a very good, young netminder in Matiss Kivlenieks as the young man passed away at the age of 24 today. Some will chalk this up as a tragic accident that couldn't have been prevented, but it sounds as if this was entirely preventable if reports are true. Whatever the case may be, Kivlenieks is gone and the hockey world mourns today.

It was first reported that Kivlenieks had passed away after being taken to the hospital after hitting his head on concrete while fleeing a hot tub following a fireworks malfunction. This report alone should alarm people, but Oakland County, Michigan investigator Tim Wood reported later in the day that the autopsy revealed that Kivlenieks' death was a result from "fireworks mortar blast, chest trauma" and not the head trauma that was first reported.

I won't try to dance around the situation: Kivlenieks' death is both tragic and sad. Unconfirmed reports stated that the fireworks celebration was, in part, due to him attending a wedding on July 4 where the celebration of America's independence was incorporated into the festivities. If these reports are true, the couple who were married likely never wanted this to happen on their blessed day of matrimony. Their anniversary will now always be the anniversary of Kivlenieks' death, and that's another layer of sadness on this story.

I simply don't understand this obsession with fireworks. According to Forbes' Niall McCarthy, "an estimated 15,600 people required emergency room treatment in U.S. hospitals due to accidents involving fireworks last year, up from approximately 10,000 in 2019" in data recorded by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

USA Today's Asha C. Gilbert reported that "12 out of 18 deaths reported in 2020 were related to misuse" with one of the six cases being "due to an electric malfunction" while the other five are listed as "unknown circumstances". McCarthy also reported in his story that the number of deaths rose to 18 from 12 in 2020, and that "[b]etween 2005 and 2020, there were 136 deaths from fireworks misuse in total or 8.5 deaths per year on average".

Think about that statistic: Americans lose 8-9 people per year on average due to fireworks mishaps, and yet they can be bought and sold at any roadside lean-to or convenience store like a bag of chips or gallon of milk. Name me one other "recreation item" sold to the American public that kills 8-9 people per year on average, but requires no safety training or safe handling training. You know why nothing comes to mind immediately? Because there isn't anything that falls into the "serial killer" range of deaths like fireworks.

I do want to say that I am not advocating for fireworks to be banned. What I am advocating for is proper handling and training for usage of said fireworks. In Canada, one must be certified by Explosive Regulatory Division of Canada to acquire, store and use fireworks, and one must successfully complete a safety and awareness training course before one can be certified by the Explosive Regulatory Division of Canada. And while I'm not naive enough to say that there aren't fireworks acquired by and set off by those in Canada who don't have the training, it's still something that I believe anyone who has an interest in fireworks or pyrotechnics should get in order to know the risks and minimize the chances of danger to one's self or others. Or worse in the case of Matiss Kivlenieks.

It's a very sad day for the hockey community, but I find it even more sad that we lost a bright, talented 24 year-old man through an accident that was likely very preventable with some simple training. I grieve for his family who are half a world away in Latvia and will find out through the news or a phone call. I grieve for his teammates who came to know him as a funny, smart, amazing person to go along with his talents as a goaltender. And, if true, I grieve for the people at the wedding as well as the bride and groom who had their biggest day marred by a terrible tragedy.

Rest in peace, Matiss Kivlenieks. You will be missed.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!