Arrest made in death of hockey player Adam Johnson, killed by skate of former Brampton Beast player
Published November 14, 2023 at 1:35 pm
Police in England arrested a man Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut by a skate in a collision with former Brampton Beast player Matt Petgrave.
Johnson, 29, was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers in a Champions Cup game Oct. 28 when the blade cut his neck. The player who cut Johnson’s neck was 31-year-old Matt Petgrave, a former player for the Brampton Beast who plays for Sheffield.
South Yorkshire Police say one man has been arrested but police have not disclosed the name or any details about the man.
“Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said.
Fans had a moment of silence for Johnson at the Steelers next game and gave Petgrave a standing ovation.
Former Brampton Beast hockey player Matt Petgrave reportedly received death threats following the death of Adam Johnson during a hockey game on Oct. 29, 2023. (Sheffield Steelers)
In what’s been called a “freak accident” by the Panthers, Johnson was rushed to hospital with serious injuries where he was later pronounced deceased, according to South Yorkshire Police.
Petgrave has reportedly received death threats and been the target of racist posts online since the incident as some called for charges to be laid against the 31-year-old defenceman.
Johnson was a Minnesota native who appeared in a total of 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020.
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 the start of 2024.
A veteran of the PHL and OJHL, Petgrave has played for the Brampton Beast and Bramalea Blues as well as the Oshawa Generals.
Messages sent to Johnson’s agent and a friend of the family seeking comment were not immediately returned.
With files from The Canadian Press
INsauga's Editorial Standards and Policies💛The Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey Club have launched this official fundraiser, with the permission of Adam's family, to raise money for the "Love for Hibbing and Hockey Memorial Fund".
Fundraising page here: https://t.co/LVjgh7EFRx pic.twitter.com/y5Zwa9m6e0
— The Nottingham Panthers (@PanthersIHC) October 31, 2023