Nottingham Panthers ice hockey star Adam Johnson died in October 2023 after an incident during a match against Sheffield Steelers, with a man later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
Nottingham Panthers ice hockey star Adam Johnson died in October 2023 after an incident during a match against Sheffield Steelers, with a man later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter Nottingham Panthers ice hockey star Adam Johnson died in October 2023 after an incident during a match against Sheffield Steelers, with a man later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
A man has been re-bailed in connection with the death of ice hockey star Adam Johnson, following an earlier arrest on suspicion of manslaughter.
Johnson died in 2023 when playing for Nottingham Panthers against Sheffield Steelers, having suffered a laceration to his neck after contact from an opponent player’s skate blade. He was 29 at the time.
Medics performed CPR on Johnson following the incident. The American, who joined the Panthers earlier in 2023, was taken to hospital but was later pronounced dead.
In September, South Yorkshire Police confirmed an individual arrested on suspicion of manslaughter had seen their bail extended until November 2023. There has now been a further extension, with the man remaining on bail until January 2025.
“We have been working meticulously to fully understand the unprecedented circumstances in which Adam sadly lost his life,” detective chief inspector Benjamin Wood, of South Yorkshire Police, said in a statement. “This complex investigation into Adam’s death remains ongoing and we are continuing to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service. Our thoughts remain wholeheartedly with Adam’s family at this time.”
Introducing DCI Wood’s comments, the force said: “Officers investigating the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson have re-bailed a man who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Adam, 29, suffered a fatal injury during a game between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers at the Utilita Arena on 28 October 2023.
“In November 2023, a man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with Adam’s death. He was later bailed and has now been re-bailed until 20 January 2025.”
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Johnson was laid to rest in November 2023 in his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota. “We miss you so much,” his fiancee Ryan Wolfe said in tribute.
“He was many things to many people, but to those who were lucky enough to be loved by Adam knew he was thoughtful, patient and genuinely authentic,” a section of an obituary published by Johnson’s family read. “He loved his fiancee, family, and friends above all else. His loving and quiet demeanour will be eternally missed.”
Johnson spent much of his ice hockey career in the AHL, but also made a number of NHL appearances for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also had a spell in Sweden with Malmo Redhawks and a year with German team Augsburger Panther before making the move to Nottingham in 2023.
The Nottingham Panthers retired Johnson’s No.47 jersey following his death, while the incident led to several mandates on neck protection. Ice hockey’s global governing body, the IIHF, has stipulated neck guards are mandatory for all its affiliated leagues from the 2024-25 season. However, they are not mandatory in the NHL.
Mirror – Sport
