PITTSBURGH — Adam Johnson didn’t play a lot of NHL games in Pittsburgh. But his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, made sure Monday night that his memory will live on within the organization.
Before and during their game against the Anaheim Ducks at PPG Paints Arena, which Anaheim would go on to win 4-3, the Penguins paid tribute to Johnson in multiple ways.
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A video of Johnson’s team highlights, including his solo rookie skate prior to his NHL debut in Nashville and his lone goal scored in his native Minnesota, was shown. It was produced by the Penguins’ Emmy-winning crew.
Fans were encouraged by the public address announcer, Ryan Mill, to “stand and cheer one more time” for Johnson.
Forever a part of the Penguins family.
Just now at PPG Paints Arena: "Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and cheer, one more time, for #47, Adam Johnson." pic.twitter.com/SBrBPlSF33
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 30, 2023
Before the game, full lineups for the Penguins and Ducks, along with on-ice officials, gathered at the center-ice circle, around the Skating Penguin logo, with players from each team standing side-by-side with officials rounding out the circle. Above them, a black-and-white image of Johnson appeared on the Penguins’ new video board.
Lights were dimmed throughout the arena to draw attention to the video board and the players beneath as a moment of silence was held in Johnson’s honor.
Hockey is family. pic.twitter.com/I4IrRWGwMZ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 30, 2023
Penguins players donned their traditional black home helmets, which featured on the left backside a sticker “AJ 47” — Johnson’s initials and number he wore in 13 games with the Penguins over the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Honoring and remembering 💛
Tonight the Penguins will wear an ‘AJ 47’ decal on their helmets for their former teammate, Adam Johnson.
There will be a pre-game ceremony and celebration of life after warmups. pic.twitter.com/7G2Hz3Td4X
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 30, 2023
Internal work on the video, ceremony and sticker creation was done quickly, starting Sunday morning — even before the Penguins released a statement about Johnson’s tragic death in England the night prior. Having the stickers made and ready in time for the game Monday night was the trickiest part because of the quick turnaround time.
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The Penguins have a history of swiftly responding to tragedy beyond celebrating older former players, coaches and members of the front office. On October 27, 2018, a mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood left 11 dead and six wounded, including several Holocaust survivors. It was the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in the United States.
The Penguins were in Vancouver for a game against the Canucks when the shooting happened; three days later, at their first home game, various tributes took place — and the Penguins wore a special patch on their jerseys. This story in The Athletic detailed how the franchise quickly turned around the complicated creation of those patches.
On April 4, 2009, a mass shooting in Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights neighborhood killed three and injured two Pittsburgh Police officers. The Penguins were in Raleigh, N.C., to start a three-game road on the day of the incident; five days later, the officers were honored at the Penguins’ first home game since the shootings.
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Required reading
- Shocked by Adam Johnson’s death, former Penguins teammates remember ‘a great young man’
- Remembering Adam Johnson, ex-NHL player who died after skate-blade accident: ‘An unbelievable human being’
- Remembering Adam Johnson in Nottingham: ‘Forever our number 47’
- After Adam Johnson’s death, will ‘stubborn’ NHL players embrace neck-protective gear?
(Photo: Jeanine Leech / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
