Former Penguins forward Adam Johnson dies after being cut by skate blade in EIHL game
Adam Johnson, who appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons, has died after being cut by a skate blade while playing in an Elite Ice Hockey League game with the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday.
The 29-year-old forward had his throat cut during the second period of Nottingham’s game against the Sheffield Steelers, according to local outlets. The Panthers trailed the Steelers by a 2–1 score at the time of the incident.
The Panthers shared a statement confirming Johnson’s death on their official Twitter account on Sunday morning.
“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 statement began. “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.
“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 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. pic.twitter.com/lhSOkDu03Q
— The Nottingham Panthers (@PanthersIHC) October 29, 2023The EIHL subsequently postponed its entire slate of games originally scheduled to take place on October 29.
The BBC reported on Saturday evening that Johnson was taken to a local hospital in Sheffield. The game was suspended at the 13:47 mark of the second period and did not resume, with fans in attendance being asked to leave the arena shortly thereafter.
Johnson, who was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, signed with the Panthers for the 2023–24 season after spending the previous year with the Augsburger Panther in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He collected four goals and seven points in seven games with the Panthers prior to his passing.
The left-handed forward began his professional career in 2017 after spending two seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, with whom he won an NCHC championship in the 2016–17 season.
Johnson spent the first three years of his professional career in the Penguins organization, collecting four points (one goal, three assists) in 13 NHL games over parts of two seasons with Pittsburgh.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the loss of Adam Johnson, whose life ended far too soon,” the Penguins said in a statement. “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. It was an honor to watch him fulfill his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.
“The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson,” said the NHL in a statement Sunday morning. “Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates.”
In 257 career AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Ontario Reign, and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Johnson racked up 50 goals and 137 points. He added a goal and an assist in four playoff contests with WBS and Ontario.
BBC reporter Peter Spencer was on the scene in Sheffield and shared an account of the incident on Twitter:
“Nottingham Panthers player badly hurt after a collision in mid-ice. Paramedics are now on the ice, players are forming a ring around him and now screens are up around him. Awful scenes here at Sheffield Arena. The period is ended.”