By George Curley
Ice hockey players and fans around the world are paying tribute to the late Adam Johnson, who died after suffering a serious cut to the neck from a skate during a game.
The Nottingham Panthers, who were playing the Sheffield Steelers at the time, have labelled a ‘freak accident’ where Johnson, who played for the Panthers, had his neck injured after a collision with Steelers player Matt Petgrave.
The game had to be stopped in the 35th minute, as the 29-year-old American received emergency treatment from paramedics on ice.
At the time of the incident, players from both teams formed a ring around Johnson in the immediate aftermath, with the player being transported to a locker room before being taken to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.
Shortly after the matter progressed, the 8,000 fans that were inside the stadium were asked the leave the building due to a ‘major medical emergency’.
Johnson passed away later that night, with tributes from around the world coming in.
He had previously played in North America’s National Hockey League (NHL), playing 13 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins, before going to the Swedish and German Hockey League’s before making his way to Nottingham.
Regarding the incident itself, a man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of Johnson but has been since been released on police bail.
Nottingham Panthers are set to return to league action after they played the Manchester Storm in a ‘special memorial game’, where they will go against Glasgow Clan on Monday the 27th of November.
More on this story to follow.