Tragic On-Ice Accident Claims Life of Former NHL Star in England
Former Pittsburgh Penguins player, Adam Johnson, met a tragic end during a game in England when a skate blade accidentally cut his neck. Aged 29, Johnson was competing in a Challenge Cup game for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers at Sheffield's Utilita Arena when the mishap occurred.
Expressing their grief on Sunday, the Nottingham Panthers stated, “We are deeply shattered to confirm Adam Johnson’s unfortunate demise following the unexpected incident in Sheffield. Our sincere condolences extend to Adam’s kin, his partner, and his close associates during this incredibly tough period. The entire fraternity of the club is in mourning over this heartbreaking news.”
Hailing from Minnesota, Johnson had represented the Pittsburgh Penguins in 13 NHL games in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, followed by a stint with the Malmo Redhawks in Sweden during the 2020-21 season. The Penguins, commemorating their former player, released a statement saying, “The entire hockey community mourns the untimely loss of Adam Johnson. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all those closely associated with Adam. He remains an indelible part of our Penguins family.”
Johnson also showcased his skills at the college level, playing for Minnesota-Duluth. His significant contributions aided the Bulldogs in advancing to two NCAA Tournaments. One of his notable achievements was scoring a game-winning goal in overtime during the 2017 tournament, helping his team secure a position in the Frozen Four by overcoming Boston University.
Throughout his career, Johnson played for three American Hockey League clubs and had a brief tenure with the Augsburger Panther in Germany during the 2022-23 season before committing to the Nottingham Panthers for the current season.
The club expressed gratitude to all those who tried assisting Johnson during the unfortunate incident and highlighted his qualities, both as a player and an individual. They added, "Adam was not just an exceptional player but a remarkable teammate and a wonderful person. He will be sorely missed, and we will always cherish his memory.”
The aftermath of this tragedy led the league to postpone all matches scheduled in Belfast, Fife, and Guildford on Sunday, including Nottingham's game on Tuesday.
Ian Laperriere, Johnson's former coach at AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, remembered him fondly, noting, “A terrific youngster and teammate. I have nothing but admiration for him.”
The NHL has witnessed a few similar near-fatal incidents in its long history, with the case of Buffalo goalie Clint Malarchuk in 1989 being one of the most remembered. Fortunately, Malarchuk received timely medical care and returned to the ice just 10 days post the accident.