Arrest made after ex-NHL player Adam Johnson killed by skate blade in on-ice collision
Police in England have arrested a man in connection to the death of hockey player Adam Johnson.
The man in police custody was charged with suspicion of manslaughter.
Johnson, who played for the Nottingham Panthers, died after his neck was cut by the skate blade of the Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave during an on-ice collision.
It is not yet known who has been arrested.
“Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” South Yorkshire Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said in a statement.
“We have been speaking to highly specialized experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.
“Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world. We know these communities will expect us to handle this investigation with the same professionalism, fairness and sensitivity as any other and request that members of the public refrain from comment and speculation which could hinder this process. Our thoughts remain with all affected by this devastating incident as enquiries continue.”
Johnson, 29, was a Minnesota native who played briefly with the Penguins in the NHL.
The arrest came after South Yorkshire Police said they were investigating the circumstances of Johnson’s death — which was described as a “freak accident” by the Panthers — on Oct. 31.
Johnson was taken by ambulance to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, where he was pronounced dead following the tragic incident, according to the Sheffield coroner’s report.
A post-mortem examination confirmed Johnson died as a result of a neck injury, police said.
The incident put increased attention on player safety.
The English Ice Hockey Association announced making neck guards mandatory for all players during on-ice activities beginning Dec. 31.
Johnson’s family held public and private memorials for him last week in Hibbing, Minn.
Johnson’s fiancee, Ryan Wolfe, shared a touching eulogy.
“Hi babe, I want you to know how much I love you and adore you,” Wolfe said. “You’ve been so amazingly supportive and kind to me since the day we met, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for it. I always thought that maybe if I was lucky enough, after a lifetime together I might start to be more like you.
“You are such a special person. You have the best sense of humor, the biggest heart, the quickest wit and the kindest soul. You’re unbelievably loyal, dedicated and smart. You’re so, so smart. Whether it came to school or life in general. You just seem to have it all figured out, which gave me so much peace and comfort and made me feel like we could do anything or be anything and we’d be OK. We’d be happy.”
Johnson’s family described him as a “thoughtful, patient and genuinely authentic” person, who loved his fiancée, family, and friends above all else” in an online obituary.
Johnson’s 62-year-old aunt, Kari Johnson recently told South West News Service she believes Petgrave’s actions on the ice were “very reckless.”
Kari spoke to The Mirror following the arrest.
“We’re just going to have to let it play out and see what happens,” Kari said. “Whatever they’d decided, I would have had to live with it. But I’m just glad they are being diligent with doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Petgrave received a standing ovation from home fans in the Steelers’ first game since the fatal incident.
