‘Outstanding’ American hockey player Adam Johnson dies in ‘misfortune’ accident

American ice hockey player Adam Johnson has died after a “freak accident” on the ice while playing for English club Nottingham Panthers, the team said in a statement.

During the second period of the team’s Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday, Johnson appeared to have suffered a serious neck injury after a collision with a Sheffield player.

The Nottingham Panthers described the 29-year-old as an “outstanding hockey player” and said everyone at the club was heartbroken.

“The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson tragically passed away during the game in Sheffield last night,” the team said on Sunday.

“The Panthers would like to thank everyone who supported Adam last night in the most difficult of circumstances.”

Fans were asked to leave the arena in Sheffield “due to a serious medical emergency,” the Panthers posted on social media on Saturday. BBC Sport reported that 8,000 spectators were in attendance.

The Panthers play in England’s top league, the Elite Ice Hockey League, which announced that all games scheduled for Sunday have been postponed.

“Many of us will have found Saturday’s events very disturbing,” the league said in a statement. “Please take care of yourself and each other.”

Born in Hibbing, Minnesota, forward Johnson began his professional career in the American Hockey League before moving up to the NHL, where he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, appearing in 13 games over two years and scoring four points.

In October 2019, Johnson scored a goal in the Penguins’ 7-4 win against the Minnesota Wild.

“The National Hockey League family mourns the loss of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates,” the NHL said in a statement.

Johnson also played in Sweden and Germany before joining the Panthers for the 2023-24 season.

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