Last Updated: October 30, 2023, 00:01 IST
NOTTINGHAM, England: American hockey player Adam Johnson, who appeared in 13 NHL video games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020, has died after his neck was cut by a skate blade throughout a recreation in England on Saturday, his crew stated. He was 29.
Johnson was enjoying for the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup recreation in opposition to the Sheffield Steelers when he suffered the skate cut throughout the second interval of the Elite Ice Hockey League recreation at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
“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 crew stated Sunday.
“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner and all his friends at this extremely difficult time. Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.”
A Minnesota native, Johnson spent 13 video games over components of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons enjoying for Pittsburgh in the NHL earlier than spending the 2020-21 season in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks. He had a objective and three assists for the Penguins.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the life of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far too soon,” the Penguins stated Sunday in a assertion. “We offer our deepest condolences to Adam’s family and friends, as well as all of Adam’s past and present teammates and coaches. Adam will always be part of the Penguins family.”
Johnson performed faculty hockey at Minnesota-Duluth, serving to the Bulldogs attain two NCAA Tournaments. He scored an extra time recreation-winner in the 2017 event, sending Minnesota-Duluth to the Frozen Four by beating Boston University.
He additionally performed for 3 American Hockey League golf equipment throughout his profession and in Germany with the Augsburger Panther in 2022-23 earlier than agreeing to hitch Nottingham for this season.
“Our thoughts are also with the fans and staff of both clubs, especially those who attended or were following the game, who will be devastated following today’s news,” the crew added.
“The Panthers would like to thank everyone who rushed to support Adam last night in the most testing of circumstances. 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.”
The league introduced that every one three video games scheduled for Sunday in Belfast, Fife and Guildford had been postponed following Johnson’s loss of life. Nottingham’s recreation scheduled for Tuesday additionally was postponed.
Ian Laperriere, who coached Johnson with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, stated it was robust information.
“Great kid (and) teammate,” Laperriere stated in a textual content message. “Only great things to say about him.”
The NHL has had skate cut scares all through its historical past, most notably Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk, who took a blade to the neck throughout a recreation in opposition to St. Louis on March 22, 1989. Malarchuk acquired speedy medical consideration and performed once more 10 days later.
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AP sports activities: https://apnews.com/sports
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
