Arrest made in death of former NHL player Adam Johnson

Field Level Media|published: Tue 14th November, 14:01 2023

Oct 30, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Members of the Anaheim Ducks and the Pittsburgh Penguins stand at center ice for a moment of silence at the PPG Paints Arena to honor former Penguin forward Adam Johnson (on scoreboard) who was tragically killed in a hockey related accident in Europe. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter related to the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson, the South Yorkshire (England) Police announced Tuesday.

The police said the man, whose name has not been released, remains in custody.

Johnson, who was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in the Elite Ice Hockey League, collided with another player and suffered a slashed neck via a skate blade from Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave during the second period of a game on Oct. 28.

Johnson received emergency treatment on the ice, was taken to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital and later pronounced dead. He was 29.

"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," South Yorkshire Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said. "We have been speaking to highly specialized 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."

Johnson collected one goal and three assists as a forward in 13 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins over parts of two seasons from 2018-20.

—Field Level Media

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