In a poignant and emotional memorial game, the Nottingham Panthers retired the No. 47 jersey of former player Adam Johnson, who tragically passed away after sustaining a severe neck injury during a game. The American hockey player’s untimely death has not only prompted a reevaluation of safety regulations within the sport but has also sparked a local criminal investigation that resulted in the arrest of a man on suspicion of manslaughter.
The Nottingham Panthers, along with players from the opposing team, the Manchester Storm, gathered at center ice at Motorpoint Arena to honor Johnson’s memory just moments before their game commenced. The announcement of Johnson’s jersey retirement was made by the announcer, Stef Litchfield, who emphasized his exceptional skills as a player and his remarkable qualities as a teammate and person. The Panthers’ tribute reflects their deep affection and unwavering respect for Johnson, who will forever remain a cherished part of their team.
Following the tragic incident that took place during a game in Sheffield on October 28, the Nottingham Panthers have not participated in any games. This memorial game, broadcasted on YouTube, holds no bearing on the Elite Ice Hockey League standings. Instead, it serves as an opportunity for players and fans to come together, unite, and find solace as they navigate the grieving process.
We’re not just hockey fans – we’re a hockey family, expressed Panthers fan Margaret Cartwright as she visited a temporary shrine adorned with flowers, wreaths, jerseys, team scarves, and heartfelt notes paying homage to Johnson. The atmosphere was filled with both solemnity and solidarity as Panthers players received a standing ovation while they warmed up on the ice, interacting with the fans in a heartwarming display of gratitude.
During the memorial game, Nottingham’s coaching staff stood arm-in-arm on the bench, with players and fans gazing at the scoreboard, reliving memorable highlights from Johnson’s career. The Manchester Storm players wore specially designed white jerseys with the number 47 enclosed in a circle on the front as a tribute to their fallen comrade. The sold-out venue, filled with 10,000 devoted fans, honored Johnson with a minute’s applause in the 47th minute of the game.
A postmortem examination has officially confirmed that Johnson’s cause of death was a severe neck injury. While South Yorkshire Police have not disclosed the identity or age of the suspect, an individual was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and subsequently released on bail. The incident involved Matt Petgrave, a defenseman for the Sheffield Steelers, whose inadvertently raised skate blade struck Johnson’s neck when he collided with another Panthers player during the game.
Details regarding Petgrave’s roster status and any disciplinary actions have not been released by the Steelers or the Elite Ice Hockey League. The tragedy has prompted deep reflection and varying responses from the hockey community. Cartwright believes that the incident was an unfortunate accident, emphasizing that nobody would intentionally harm another player. She also acknowledged the heavy burden that the individual responsible for the accident will carry for the rest of their life.
A Minnesota native, Johnson had recently begun his first season with the Nottingham Panthers after playing in Germany and having a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. He resided in Nottingham with his American girlfriend.
In response to Johnson’s death, the English Ice Hockey Association, which governs the sport below the Elite League, has mandated that all players wear neck guards starting from 2024 in an effort to enhance safety measures.
The Nottingham Panthers have withdrawn from the Challenge Cup, a tournament similar to soccer’s FA Cup in Britain, but will resume their season against the Belfast Giants on November 26.
The deeply moving memorial game and the retirement of Adam Johnson’s jersey demonstrate the profound impact he made both on and off the ice. As the hockey community mourns his loss, efforts to improve safety regulations are being undertaken to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Johnson’s memory will forever be etched in the hearts of the Nottingham Panthers and the entire hockey family as they support one another during this time of grieving and healing.
