Authorities in England have made an arrest related to the tragic death of hockey player Adam Johnson on October 28. Johnson’s throat was slashed by the skate of an opposing player during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
The arrest was disclosed 17 days after the incident, and although South Yorkshire Police did not reveal the individual taken into custody, it is presumed to be Sheffield hockey player Matt Petgrave, whose skate made contact with Johnson’s neck during the game. A distressing video of the incident showed Johnson falling to the ice and attempting to skate to the bench while holding his neck. The ice was covered in blood, and Johnson was later pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.
South Yorkshire Police Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall stated in a press release, “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.”
The investigation involves collaboration with specialized experts and the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council. The release urged the public to refrain from speculative comments that could hinder the investigation.
Adam Johnson, 29, was a former high school hockey star from Hibbing, Minnesota. He played collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and had a career in the NHL and the American Hockey League before joining the European ice hockey scene.
