Former NHL forward and Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson has died after a “freak accident” in a match in Britain’s top hockey league, his club has confirmed.
The Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers was stopped in the second period after an on-ice collision in which Johnson appeared to suffer a serious cut to the neck from a skate. Fans were later asked to leave the stadium in Sheffield due to what the club’s X (formerly Twitter) account called a “major medical emergency”.
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The Panthers said on Sunday they were “truly devastated” to announce that the 29-year-old American had died.
A statement read: “The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night.”
They added: “The club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.
“Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great team-mate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him.
“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.
“Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.”
The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night. pic.twitter.com/lhSOkDu03Q
— The Nottingham Panthers (@PanthersIHC) October 29, 2023
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: “We were called at 8.25pm yesterday (October 28) to reports that a player had been seriously injured during a Sheffield Steelers versus Nottingham Panthers game at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
“Officers attended the scene alongside other emergency services and one man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at hospital.
“Our officers remain at the scene carrying out enquiries today (October 29) and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.”
The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) said all games scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 29 had been postponed in light of “deeply upsetting news”. The Panthers’ game against Glasgow Clan on October 31 has also been postponed.
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Johnson had joined the Panthers this summer to play in the EIHL, which has 10 franchises including teams in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.
He previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, scoring a goal and four points in 13 games over parts of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Before joining Pittsburgh, Johnson played collegiately at the University of Minnesota Duluth for two seasons.
Severe neck injuries are uncommon in hockey but not unprecedented. During an NHL game in 1989, Clint Malarchuk was cut on the neck by a skate and suffered a severed jugular vein, one of the major blood vessels that stretches from the head to the chest. Malarchuk survived but following the gruesome injury, he developed post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2008, Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik had a carotid artery, another major blood vessel, sliced open by a teammate’s skate, forcing emergency surgery. He missed the remainder of the season but returned to play in 2008-09.
‘Entire hockey world in mourning’
Speaking on Saturday evening, former Pittsburgh center Matt Cullen described Johnson as “an unreal kid, just a great guy”.
“Salt-of-the-earth kind of guy,” Cullen said. “So, so humble and a very easy person to be around. He’s of those guys who just loves the game and being around the rink with the guys.”
The Penguins released a statement on Sunday morning, UK time, in which they said they joined “the entire hockey world in mourning”.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 29, 2023
They added: “Adam will always be part of the Penguins family. It was our honor to watch him fulfill his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.”
The EIHL said it was “heartbroken,” writing: “The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with the EIHL are with Adam’s family, friends and team-mates at this incredibly sad time.”
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Sheffield Steelers posted: “Everyone at the Steelers send their condolences to Adam Johnson’s partner, family and team-mates,” while a statement from the Utilita Arena venue in Sheffield said: “We are all truly devastated.”
“My only thoughts today are with Adam Johnson, his friends, family, and teammates,” Sheffield forward Brett Neumann wrote on X. “Difficult to make sense of this terrible tragedy.”
Bulldog Hockey Mourns the Passing of Former Standout Adam Johnson https://t.co/59XpJqpffz pic.twitter.com/0cH801qdS4
— UMD Men's Hockey (@UMDMensHockey) October 29, 2023
Tributes from the U.S. also continued on Sunday.
The NHL said: “The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson. Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates.”
The Minnesota Wild wrote: “We are deeply saddened to learn that former Hibbing star and UMD Bulldog Adam Johnson passed away after suffering a tragic injury on Saturday night with the Nottingham Panthers. The State of Hockey is grieving for Adam, his family, and his hockey community.”
The AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins said in an Instagram post: “Adam spent three years as a member of the team here in Northeast Pennsylvania, was respected for his work on the ice, and was an important part of our community and organization. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.”
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family & friends of Minnesota native Adam Johnson, who passed away last night while playing for the Nottingham Panthers,” read a statement from USA Hockey.
Hibbing, for whom Johnson played high school hockey, wrote on Instagram: “Our thoughts and prayers are with former bluejacket Adam Johnson. The Hibbing community is sending our best wishes to his family and friends. Rest in peace Adam.”
The Athletic’s Corey Pronman contributed to this story.
(Photo: Joe Sargent / NHLI via Getty Images)