Ex-NHLer Adam Johnson Playing Hockey In UK Dies In Freak Accident

In an Elite Ice Hockey League game in the United Kingdom, ex-NHLer and current Nottingham Panther Adam Johnson was struck in the neck by a skate. He later died from his injury.

Johnson attempted to skate of the ice but collapsed before making the bench. The game was suspended as fans at the game were left traumatized.

As the horrific scene played out, players and fans rushed to help. An estimated 8,000 fans were in attendance.

Screens were brought out onto the ice and placed around Johnson.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service was called to the scene and a pair of ambulances arrived on scene before taking one man to an area hospital.

The arena was evacuated, and the game eventually was postponed.

Tributes Are Pouring Out for Adam Johnson

Adam's mother Kari confirmed his passing and said on social media, "I lost half my heart today."

On the X platform, the hashtag "sticksfor47" has fans everywhere paying tribute to the former player.

Ice Hockey UK made the following statement: "Ice Hockey UK would like to send our thoughts and condolences to the family, friends and team-mates of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson who passed away last night. The hockey family stands together with his family - and with each other - at this difficult time."

Johnson, 29, hails from Grand Rapids, MN, and played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He spent several years in the American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. Johnson was called up to the Pittsburgh Penguins and played 13 games for them over 2 seasons.

Johnson has also played for the Ontario Reign and Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, and the Malmo Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League.

The 2023 season is his first with Nottingham. He spent the 2022-23 season with the Augsburg Panthers of the German DEL.

Surely, this entire situation is massively traumatic to everyone involved.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected.