Minnesotan Adam Johnson dies following 'freak accident' in hockey game
Team officials confirmed early Sunday morning that Adam Johnson, a 29-year-old Minnesotan, died Saturday after suffering an injury in what is being called a “freak accident” during hockey game in England.
Johnson, who is from Hibbing and was a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award in 2013 before starring at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, appeared to be hit in the neck by the skate blade of a player who had been upended during a mid-ice collision.
“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 team said.
"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."
BBC Radio reporter Peter Spencer confirmed the mid-ice collision, noting that players formed a ring around Johnson as he received treatment from paramedics on the ice. Screens were eventually placed around Johnson on the ice and the 8,000 fans attending the game were asked to leave.
Johnson was in his first season with the Nottingham Panthers, a club in the Elite Ice Hockey League in England. He played in Germany last season and previously spent time in the American Hockey League and played 13 games in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
His one career goal in the NHL came in a 2019 game against his home state Minnesota Wild.
Oct 12, 2019; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Adam Johnson (47) celebrates with center Zach Aston-Reese (46) after Johnson scored a goal against the Minnesota Wild in the second period at Xcel Energy Center.
Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
