On October 28, 2023, Adam Johnson, a 29-year-old ice hockey player from Hibbing, Minnesota, tragically passed away after being struck in the neck by the skate of an opposing player during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Police in England have made an arrest in connection with Johnson’s death. The arrest was announced on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 17 days after the incident. South Yorkshire Police did not identify the person taken into custody, but it is widely believed to be Sheffield hockey player Matt Petgrave, whose skate struck Johnson in the neck during the game.
Video footage of the incident shows Johnson falling to the ice after being hit by Petgrave’s skate. Johnson then attempted to skate to the bench while holding his neck, but he collapsed and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
“Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” South Yorkshire Police Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said in a press release.
Police have asked the public to refrain from commenting or speculating on the case, as this could hinder their investigation.
Johnson’s death has sent shockwaves through the hockey community, both locally in Sheffield and around the world. He was a well-respected player and a beloved member of the Nottingham Panthers organization. His death is a tragic loss, and he will be deeply missed.
