Adam Johnson: Nottingham Panthers star dies after 'freak accident' during Sheffield ice hockey match
Ice hockey player Adam Johnson, who was seriously injured in last night's match between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers, has died.
Fans were told to leave Sheffield's Utilita Arena on Saturday 29 October after the Nottingham Panthers player suffered an injury following a collision on the ice.
The 29-year-old American reportedly suffered a slashed neck during the second period of the game.
On Sunday morning Nottingham Panthers said it was "truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night."
In a statement, the club said: "The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night.
“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.
“Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.
“Our thoughts are also with the fans and staff of both clubs, especially those who attended or were following the game, who will be devastated following today’s news.
“The Panthers would like to thank everyone who rushed to support Adam last night in the most testing of circumstances.
“Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. The club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.
“We ask that the privacy of Adam’s family and friends, and everyone at the club is respected at this difficult time as we all seek to come to terms with our grief."
Minnesota-born Johnson played for Pittsburg Penguins in the National Hockey League before spending the 2020-21 season in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks.
Johnson went on to play in Canada for the Ontario Reign and in Germany for the Augsburger Panther before agreeing to join Nottingham for the 2023-24 campaign.
In a joint statement with the Elite Ice Hockey League, Sheffield Steelers said: "The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with the EIHL are with Adam's family, friends and team mates at this incredibly sad and difficult time."
A Yorkshire Ambulance Sevice NHS Trust spokesman said they were called shortly after 8pm on Saturday evening to "an incident on the ice".
They said: "We sent 2 ambulances and a critical care paramedic. We transported one patient to hospital."
Sunday 29 October's fixtures in the Elite League have been postponed.
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