Ice hockey player Adam Johnson dies in 'freak accident' after neck slashed by skate in Sheffield
Police were called to Sheffield's Utilita Arena at around 8.25pm on Saturday to reports of a player being seriously injured during an ice hockey game. The 8,000-strong crowd were asked to leave the venue and officers remain on the scene.
Sunday 29 October 2023 16:59, UK
A professional ice hockey player has died in a "freak accident" after he was slashed in the neck during a game.
Nottingham Panthers has confirmed Adam Johnson, 29, died during the team's derby clash against Sheffield Steelers.
The game at Sheffield Arena was abandoned shortly after the incident.
In a statement, the club said: "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 club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.
The team added: "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."
A statement from the Elite Ice Hockey League said all games on Sunday have been postponed.
More than 8,000 fans were inside the arena in Sheffield when the incident took place, and were all asked to leave in the aftermath.
Players from both teams formed a protective ring around Johnson as he received treatment on the ice before screens were put up, Sky Sports News reported.
South Yorkshire Police said it was called to the arena at about 8.25pm on Saturday night to reports a player had been seriously injured, and officers remained on the scene into Sunday.
Hundreds of fans come to pay respects at stadium
Outside Nottingham Panther's home arena, it was clear why they call being part of this sport a hockey family. A few hundred fans, supporters and locals paid tribute to Adam Johnson, whose name and face was lit up on a screen for the city to see.
Flowers, messages, scarves and jerseys kept on coming, leaving a huge memorial outside the ice rink where the 29-year-old American had called home for the last year.
Many were in tears, some inconsolable as they gathered to remember and mourn the loss of a "talented and incredible" person.
At 2pm, a huge applause erupted as Johnson's teammates and coaches emerged from the arena 鈥� many distraught and hurt by what they'd witnessed just the night before.
Speaking to the hundreds that had turned up, assistant coach of the Nottingham Panthers, Kevin Moore said: "We really appreciate all of the support and tears and love.
"Our hearts break with all of yours. We are grieving this together as a team, as a community, as a city, and we're going to get through this together with a lot of love, a lot of thought and a lot of laughter."
A wreath sat at the centre of the tributes laid down by the staff from the National Ice Centre, but around it flowers, mainly yellow, the colour of the Panthers, were left with many heartfelt messages.
Hazel Wood from Cambridge travelled to Sheffield to watch the match on Saturday night, she said what happened on the ice is something she will never forget.
"It was one of those moments where I thought he got the stick to the mouth, I just saw blood and then I saw all the blood on the ice and he went towards the team bench and then went down.
"Things happened and you knew it wasn't good. It's just a bad dream that I want to wake up from now. I feel numb."
Nottingham vs Sheffield is billed as the greatest rivalry in British ice hockey, and so perhaps the most poignant moment was seeing Sheffield Steelers supporters in solidarity with their arch rivals.
Competition all put to one side. They were all mourning the loss of a player of the sport they love.
Before joining Nottingham Panthers, the Minnesota-born Johnson played in Pennsylvania for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Sweden for the Malmo Redhawks.
He also played in California for Ontario Reign and in Germany for Augsburger Panther.
Pittsburgh Penguins said it joined "the entire hockey world in mourning the loss of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far too soon.
"We offer our deepest condolences to Adam's family and friends, as well as all of Adam's past and present teammates and coaches. Adam will always be a part of the Penguins family. It was our honour to watch him fulfil his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.