A man who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has been released on police bail, pending further inquiries. Johnson, 29, was a centre for the Nottingham Panthers in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). He died after his neck was cut by a skate during a match against the Sheffield Steelers on 28 October.
A tragic accident
Johnson was playing for the Panthers at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield when he collided with Steelers’ player Matt Petgrave. The blade from Petgrave’s skate slashed Johnson’s neck, causing a severe injury. Johnson was rushed to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, where he was pronounced dead.
The incident was witnessed by thousands of fans and players, who were shocked and saddened by the loss of Johnson. His fiancée, Ryan Wolfe, paid tribute to him on social media, calling him her “sweet angel”. Johnson was from Minnesota, in the US, and had joined the Panthers in 2022.
A police investigation
South Yorkshire Police said they were called to the arena following the incident and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s death. They said it was “normal procedure” to open an investigation when an incident was reported.
On 15 November, they arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of manslaughter and released him on police bail. They did not reveal the identity of the man or his connection to the incident. They also urged the public to avoid speculation while they continued their inquiries.
Sheffield City Council confirmed its health and safety team was assisting the police with the investigation. Councillor Joe Otten said the council’s thoughts were with Johnson’s family, friends and teammates at this difficult time.
A safety review
Following Johnson’s death, the EIHL postponed all fixtures scheduled for 2 and 3 November. The league said matches would resume at the weekend for all teams, except the Panthers and the Steelers. The league also said it would not make the use of neck guards mandatory, but would “strongly encourage” players and officials to wear them.
The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), which oversees all levels of ice hockey in England below the EIHL, issued a “strong recommendation” that all players at all levels use an approved neck guard. The EIHA said it was “unacceptable” for any player to lose their life while playing ice hockey. It also said it would undertake a player safety equipment review, considering all aspects of player safety equipment.
Neck guards are already compulsory in some countries, such as Finland and Sweden. Germany’s top flight, the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, is also reportedly considering their introduction for the new season.
