Former Pittsburgh Penguins ahead Adam Johnson, 29, in motion throughout an NHL hockey recreation in Columbus, Ohio, in 2017. Johnson died after a “freak accident” throughout a recreation in England on Saturday, Oct. 28, his membership, the Nottingham Panthers stated.

Paul Vernon/AP

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Paul Vernon/AP

Former Pittsburgh Penguins ahead Adam Johnson, 29, in motion throughout an NHL hockey recreation in Columbus, Ohio, in 2017. Johnson died after a “freak accident” throughout a recreation in England on Saturday, Oct. 28, his membership, the Nottingham Panthers stated.

Paul Vernon/AP

Adam Johnson, a former NHL ahead, has died after his neck was lower by one other participant’s skate throughout a recreation Saturday in Sheffield, England.

The deadly collision — which Johnson’s crew referred to as a “freak accident” — occurred halfway by the second interval of an Elite Ice Hockey League recreation between Johnson’s Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers. Video footage appeared to point out an opposing participant’s skate strike Johnson within the neck, a terrifying scene that prompted officers to empty the world as medical personnel raced to reply.

Johnson was taken to a neighborhood hospital and later pronounced useless, the South Yorkshire Police stated. He was 29.

“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 in a statement on Sunday. “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.”

In an announcement, the South Yorkshire Police stated it had opened an investigation into Johnson’s dying, and inspired the general public “to avoid speculation regarding the incident.”

Johnson was in his first season with the Nottingham Panthers, after spending components of two seasons with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, adopted by a stint in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks.

A Hibbing, Minn., native, Johnson beforehand was the assistant captain of the hockey crew on the University of Minnesota Duluth. In the 2016-17 season, he ranked second on the crew in targets, factors and pictures.

He additionally helped lead the crew to a NCAA West Regional win and a National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff championship, and was chosen to the NCHC All-Academic Team twice.

“We are deeply devastated to learn last evening of the passing of Adam Johnson,” the university said in an announcement. “Adam was loved and admired by his teammates, coaches, and staff. As talented as he was on the ice, he was even a better person. Adam remained connected to the program, and for our time with him we are eternally grateful. Adam, we love you, we will miss you.”

He left the varsity early to go professional, and performed for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 13 video games between 2018 and 2020.

“It was a privilege to be his coach…I remember his first game and his first goal in Minnesota. He was a great kid, a great player. And boy, he could really skate,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.

Former Penguins teammate Sidney Crosby, gave his condolences and likewise recalled being there when Johnson scored his first aim.

“To see him score in his home state was pretty cool,” Crosby said. “And just the way he skated. There’s some guys that, when you get out there with them, they can just flat out fly. He was one of them.”

Penguins participant Pierre-Olivier Joseph spoke about taking part in tennis with Johnson, and what an excellent participant he was.

“I think just the way he carried himself, just a happy person in general – we’re sure going to miss him,” Joseph stated.

England’s Elite Ice Hockey League, the National Hockey League and different NHL groups additionally commemorated Johnson.

“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,” the league stated. “We would also ask everyone to respect the privacy of Adam’s family at this time.”

The EIHL additionally postponed all video games that had been scheduled for Sunday.

The NHL stated in an announcement it was mourning his dying. “Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates,” the league stated.

Incidents just like Johnson’s have occurred in hockey earlier than. Last yr, Teddy Balkind, a highschool sophomore in Connecticut, died after his neck was lower in a collision. In 1989, Clint Malarchuk of the Buffalo Sabres had his neck lower throughout a recreation in opposition to the St. Louis Blues, however survived.

The English Ice Hockey Association has already stated neck guards, that are normally really useful for hockey freshmen, would now be mandatory for its gamers after Dec. 31. The affiliation oversees all ranges of hockey in England which can be beneath the elite division during which Johnson had been taking part in. But it stated its “strong recommendation” was for gamers in any respect ranges to start to put on neck guards.