EIHL player Matt Petgrave arrested for on-ice death of Adam Johnson on suspicion of manslaughter

In late October, former NHLer Adam Johnson died as a result of a skate cutting his throat during an EIHL game while playing for the Nottingham Panthers. Less than three weeks later, British police have made an arrest. Matt Petgrave, the Sheffield Steelers player whose skate cut Johnson, has been taken into custody and charged with manslaughter.

The tragic incident occurred the night of Oct. 28 with the Panthers visiting the Steelers. While absorbing a hit, Petgrave’s leg kicked out violently, making contact with Johnson, who wasn’t delivering the hit but was skating nearby. Johnson was rushed off the ice as fans in attendance were evacuated from the arena. Johnson succumbed to the injury in a Sheffield hospital overnight and the Panthers announced his death on Oct. 29.

Social media debate ensued in the days that followed over whether Petgrave had deliberately kicked out his skate while being hit or could have avoid making contact with Johnson. After spending the past few weeks investigating Johnson’s death, the British police evidently saw enough to charge Petgrave with a crime.

“We have been carrying out extensive inquiries to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall of the South Yorkshire Police, per the BBC. “We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.”

The ripple effect since Johnson died has been felt all over the hockey world. The English Ice Hockey Association mandated neck protection beginning Jan. 1. The German League (DEL) followed suit, as did the WHL in Canadian major junior hockey. Countless NHL players have begun donning neckguards in games as well, and the NHL and NHL Players’ Association have made neck protection a priority agenda item to discuss.

Johnson, who passed away at 29 and left behind a fiancée, played 13 games in the NHL and was honored by his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, with a cheer from the PPG Paints Arena faithful on Oct. 30.

On Sunday, Petgrave returned to game action for the first time since Johnson’s death and received a standing ovation from the Sheffield crowd.