Adam Johnson: More than £12,000 raised by ice hockey fans for family of Nottingham player

A fundraiser for the family of Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson has raised more than £12,000.

The Minnesota-born ice hockey player died on the evening of Saturday 28th October in what has been described as a "freak accident."

Mr Johnson suffered a neck injury during a match on Saturday.

In a statement, the Nottingham team said Adam was a "great teammate and an incredible person".

It read: "The club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him."

On Sunday 29 October, fans gathered outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham to lay flowers and pay their respects.

Addressing the fans, team coach Kevin Moore, said: "Our heart breaks with all of yours, we just want you to know that we're all grieving this together as a team, a community and a city.

"We're all going to get through this together with a lot of love, a lot of thought and a lot of laughter.

"As time goes on we're all going to heal but we're going to do it together.

"Our group is strong and connected and we're going to do you guys proud.

"We appreciate everyone coming out today and everyone thanks you for the support, we love you all."

The fundraiser, set up on Sunday, says its aim is to "raise some money for [Adam's] family to try and make their lives slightly easier."

Laura Oates, who organised the fundraiser, said: "I'm just a hockey supporter trying to do something helpful to the family.

"If we can give them a substantial cheque it may help with things like the funeral or the repatriation of his body."

The Nottingham Panthers have said they are aware that the fundraising page has been shared but the owner of the page is not known or affiliated with the club.

The Panthers are asking any fans who wish to donate to wait until the official publication of the go fund me page.

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