Tragic Death of Former NHL Player Adam Johnson in UK Hockey Game Accident
Mar
Former NHL player Adam Johnson, 29, met an untimely end in what has been described as a “freak accident” during a professional hockey game in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) with the Nottingham Panthers.
Incident Details: The Nottingham Panthers, part of the EIHL, shared the devastating news of Johnson’s death on Sunday, expressing profound grief for the loss. The incident occurred during a game in the EIHL’s Challenge Cup, where Johnson suffered a fatal neck laceration from a skate during a collision with an opponent in the second period of the Panthers’ match against the Sheffield Steelers.
Officials promptly halted the game, and emergency treatment was administered on the ice. As a result of the severity of the injury, the almost 8,000 fans at Utilita Arena, home to the Steelers, were asked to evacuate due to a “major medical emergency.” Johnson was rushed to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Official Statements: The Nottingham Panthers released a statement, expressing their deep sorrow and extending thoughts to the fans, staff, and both clubs affected by the tragic incident. South Yorkshire Police also issued a statement, confirming the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the player’s death.
“We were called at 8:25 p.m. (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 the hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at the hospital,” read the police statement.
Adam Johnson’s Career: Hailing from Hibbing, Minn., Johnson had a notable career, playing two years in the NCAA with Minnesota-Duluth before transitioning to the professional arena. He featured in 13 NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and also contributed to AHL teams such as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Ontario Reign, and Lehigh Valley Phantoms from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
In a statement, the Pittsburgh Penguins expressed condolences, mourning Johnson’s tragic passing. “Adam will always be a part of the Penguins family. It was our honor to watch him fulfill his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.”
For the 2022-23 season, Johnson played in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga before joining the Nottingham Panthers in the EIHL for the current season, participating in seven games.