Credit: Nottingham Panthers & X
Police Issue Major Update After Ice Hockey Player Killed During Match
There has been a major update in the investigation of ice hockey player Adam Johnson’s death.
Adam Johnson, 29, who was a player for the Nottingham Panthers, died during a ‘freak accident’ against the Sheffield Steelers on October 28, 2023, at the Utilita Arena.
Johnson, originally from Minnesota in the U.S., played professionally in the U.K. Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).
Before joining the Panthers, he played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as Germany’s Augsburger Panther and Sweden’s Malmö Redhawks.
Johnson’s neck was cut by a Sheffield Steelers skate after the two collided, the game was ended, and the ice hockey star was rushed to the hospital.
The 29-year-old was tragically pronounced dead. South Yorkshire Police said that following a post-mortem examination, they confirmed he died as a result of a fatal neck injury.
Authorities announced they’d arrested a man on November 14 following the incident.
Nottingham Panthers retired Johnson’s jersey number 47 following a ceremony in December 2024.
During the ceremony, Panthers chief executive Omar Pacha shared: “Adam was a top player, but he was an even better human being.
Pacha described Johnson as ‘a quiet, positive leader, a committed player that guys loved, and a huge, calming presence in the locker room.’
Following the devastating death of Johnson, which shocked ice hockey fans worldwide, police began a ‘thorough investigation’ to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought.
Matt Petgrave, from Canada, was the player with whom Johnson collided.
The player spent 17 months on bail after his arrest in November 2023 and was rebailed seven times by South Yorkshire Police as the investigation continued.
Petgrave denied all allegations and stated it was a ‘tragic accident.’
Heartbreakingly, after Johnson’s death, his aunt, Kari Johnson, revealed to KSTP-TV that he had been planning to propose to his partner, Ryan Wolfe.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it worked with South Yorkshire Police to determine whether Johnson’s death would bring criminal charges.
No criminal charges have been brought against the professional ice hockey player after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: “We have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution.
“This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident.
“The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Johnson was not wearing a neck guard during the match.
Following his death, Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden wrote a prevention of future deaths report for neck guards in ice hockey to be made compulsory, with concern that more tragic accidents may occur in the future if not worn.
Days prior, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) announced that neck guards would be mandatory from 2024 onwards.
The U.K.’s top ice hockey division, EIHL (which is not under the EIHA’s control ), said it would not make neck guards mandatory, but stated it would ‘strongly encourage’ players to wear them.
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