Police have issued a statement after a man was arrested over the tragic death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson.
A man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after Johnson died during a game last month, South Yorkshire Police said in a statement on Tuesday (November 14).
Johnson of the Nottingham Panthers died mid-game against the Sheffield Steelers after he received an injury to his neck on October 28.
According to the coroner’s report, the 29-year-old sportsman “sustained an incised wound to the neck caused by the skate of another player” and later passed away in the hospital from the injury.
Issuing a statement, detective chief superintendent Becs Horsfall said via Sky News: “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.
"We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our enquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.”
Police said at the time of the statement that the man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter was in their custody. As of Wednesday, November 15, the man has been released on bail, BBC News reported.
After the tragic incident, which the Panthers referred to in a statement on October 29 as a “freak accident,” there has been more of a focus on player safety in ice hockey, especially where protective neck guards are concerned.
“Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world,” Horsfall said.
Johnson, who was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, began his sports career in the American Hockey League before going on to join the National Hockey League (NHL).
He played in 13 games over a two year period for the Pittsburgh Penguins, also playing in Sweden and Germany. The late sports star joined the Panthers for the 2023-24 season.
For his obituary, the forward's family paid tribute to him as a “thoughtful, patient and genuinely authentic” individual who “took pleasure in the small, everyday things.”
Ice hockey fans and players across the world also paid their respects.
Authorities said on Tuesday that the police are doing their best to support Johnson’s family amid the investigation into the tragedy.
Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy.
