Adam Johnson made as huge an impression off the ice as he did on it for the Nottingham Panthers.
The U.Ok. hockey group formally retired Johnson’s No. 47 jersey on Saturday in tribute to the American ahead who died after his neck was lower by an opponent’s skate throughout a sport over a 12 months in the past.
“Adam was a prime participant, however he was a good higher human being,” Panthers CEO Omar Pacha stated at a pre-game ceremony attended by members of Johnson’s household.
The Minnesota native, who briefly performed for the Pittsburgh Penguins, died shortly after a collision with Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave within the Elite Ice Hockey League in October 2023.
Johnson, who was 29, skated with the puck into Sheffield’s defensive zone. As he pivoted to maneuver inside, Petgrave was skating towards him. Petgrave had one other Panthers participant in entrance of him and seems to have made contact. Then, Petgrave’s left skate elevates because the defenseman begins to fall and the blade hits Johnson within the neck.
A person, whose identify has not been launched, stays beneath investigation after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
The Panthers introduced the jersey retirement a 12 months in the past, and on Saturday made it official as Johnson’s mother and father, brother, aunt and fiancée watched from ice stage.
“Adam was real. He was humble, modest, right down to earth and by no means boasted about his accomplishments,” stated aunt Lynn DeGrio, who spoke on behalf of the Johnson household. “He lit up a room together with his little smile and fast and witty feedback.
“He liked to dream about what his future was going to appear to be, proper right down to the high-quality particulars,” she continued. “One factor he knew for certain is that it might embody the love of his life, Ryan Wolfe. They spent hours planning the right life collectively.”
Donations to a memorial account will fund a scholarship for a highschool senior to attend the College of Minnesota-Duluth, the place Johnson performed earlier than turning skilled.
“From the primary minute he stepped on the ice in Nottingham, you could possibly inform his pace and ability was elite,” Pacha informed the gang. “His hockey IQ was on one other stage, and he made all of the gamers round him higher.”
Different normal managers informed Pacha he made the “signing of the summer time.”
“His humble nature was one thing distinctive, particularly for a participant with such a excessive pedigree,” Pacha added. “Gamers who’ve performed on the highest stage can generally include an ego, however Adam didn’t have this. A quiet, constructive chief, a dedicated participant that guys liked and an enormous calming presence within the locker room.”
Johnson was dwelling with Wolfe and finding out at Loughborough Enterprise College earlier than his demise.
South Yorkshire Police haven’t decided if expenses might be filed — there could possibly be quite a lot of causes for that.
Petgrave, a 32-year-old Canadian, has not made any public statements.
The U.Ok.’s prime league made neck guards obligatory final Jan. 1, two months after Johnson’s demise.
