Police are investigating the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson after his neck was cut by a skate blade in a game in England.
Johnson, 29, was playing for the Nottingham Panthers at the Sheffield Steelers when he sustained the cut in a Champions Cup game on Saturday. He died at a hospital. He was a Minnesota native who appeared in a total of 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020.
“Our officers remain at the scene carrying out inquiries and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing,” South Yorkshire Police said on Monday. “We would encourage the public to avoid speculation regarding the incident while we continue our inquiries.”
Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY
The English Ice Hockey Association, which governs the sport below the Elite League, reacted to Johnson’s death by requiring all players in England to wear neck guards from Jan. 1 next year.
The association on Monday gave its “strong recommendation” that all players start wearing a neck guard, effective immediately, adding that neck guards would not be mandatory immediately because of anticipated supply issues.
“It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport,” it said. “Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heartbreaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future.”
Johnson’s death and its aftermath reverberated around the hockey community, with moments of silence held around the NHL and the Penguins adding “AJ 47” decals to their helmets.
The Anaheim Ducks joined the Penguins at center ice for a tribute to Johnson before Monday’s game.
A black-and-white photo of Johnson was displayed on the scoreboard and a white spotlight on center ice.
The video tribute included Johnson’s debut in Nashville and his first NHL goal in Minnesota. Instead of a moment of silence, the Penguins asked for one final cheer for Johnson, as fans applauded and players tapped their sticks around the center circle.
The Penguins started their third line on Monday to honor Johnson, who joined the organization in 2017.
“It’s an incredible tragedy,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “He was a great kid. It was a privilege to be his coach.”
Hockey manufacturer Bauer called for collaboration around the sport for increased awareness and a mandate on cut-resistant neck protection.
Washington Capitals winger T.J. Oshie, who co-owns the Warroad Hockey equipment and apparel company named after his hometown in Minnesota, said he received about 100 texts from other players inquiring about cut-resistant materials and that the entire inventory sold out on Sunday.
“It’s just crazy, sad, and we don’t have anything left,” Oshie said after practice on Monday. “We’re thinking about his family first. We’ll try to get as many products out there as we can for people.”
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