The death of Minnesota native and former NHL player Adam Johnson after he was cut in the neck by a skate blade during an Oct. 28 game in England continues to have an impact on the team and on hockey leagues around the world.
South Yorkshire police announced a Nov. 14 arrest of a man in the case on suspicion of manslaughter. The man, who wasn’t identified, was released on police bail the following day.
Johnson’s team, the Nottingham Panthers, said before a Nov. 18 memorial game that it was retiring his No. 47.
The latest on the fallout from Johnson’s death:
Who is Adam Johnson?
Johnson, 29, who played parts of two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was in his first season with the Nottingham Panthers, scoring four goals in seven games.
He died after being cut by Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave’s skate in what the Panthers called a ‘freak accident.’
‘Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him,’ the Panthers said. ‘The Club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.’
Johnson played two seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and played 13 NHL games with the Penguins during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. He had a goal and three assists.
He scored his lone NHL goal on Oct. 12, 2019, at the Minnesota Wild as part of a two-point night.
Johnson also played in the American Hockey League, Sweden and Germany before signing in England this season.
A memorial service was held for Johnson on Nov. 6 in Hibbing, Minnesota.
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Adam Johnson’s number retired before memorial game
The Panthers faced the Manchester Storm in an exhibition game on Nov. 18 at Motorpoint Arena to honor Johnson.
It is the first time that the team had played since Johnson’s death.
Nottingham announced before the game that Johnson’s No. 47 was being retired. His name and number were also inscribed on the ice behind the nets.
The game was paused in the 47th minute and fans gave a standing ovation.
The game ended in a 4-4 tie.
The Panthers will resume regular-season play on Nov. 26 against the Belfast Giants.
What is the status of the police investigation into Adam Johnson’s death?
South Yorkshire police said on Nov. 14 that a man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in the case. The unidentified man was released on police bail the following day.
‘Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,’ Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said in a statement Tuesday.
‘We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our enquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.’
How have hockey organizations reacted to Johnson’s death?
The English Ice Hockey Association announced that approved hockey neck guard/protectors would become mandatory equipment for players at all levels after Dec. 31.
‘It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport,’ the association said. ‘Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heart-breaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future.’
The Western Hockey League, a Canadian junior hockey league, announced that neck guards will be required as of Nov. 3 or whenever the equipment is available. The guards must be worn during games and practices.
The Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League already require them.
The NHL discussed skate cuts last season after several injuries, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Sirius XM that commissioner Gary Bettman reached out to NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh to get cut-resistant guards on the radar.
“We have been really pushing hard cut-resistant materials and guards for our players,’ Daly said. ‘It is an adjustment for them.”
Daly noted that the AHL and ECHL require cut-resistant materials for wrists and forearms.
“Obviously (with) the most recent horrific accident, really we’ll step up the neck guards for sure,” he said.
Walsh told the Associated Press: “We’re going to explore everything. We have to continue to have conversations on this as we move forward here. It’s a change for the players, but it’s also about protecting them, so I think we will have those conversations as we move forward here.”
Meanwhile, Boston Bruins forward Jakub Lauko said he would wear a cut-resistant neck guard because of what happened to Johnson and his own close call. Lauko was cut near the eye by a skate blade last month.
‘It’s too much of a risk,’ he told reporters. ‘When you can put something on the neck, it’s better. It’s the most vulnerable spot on the body. I’m going to start wearing neck guards, wrist guards, too, add some layer of protection to areas that are vulnerable. You know, it’s always better to be ready than sorry.’