When former Pittsburgh Penguins’ player Adam Johnson tragically died while playing hockey in England

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 13, 2025, 20:36 IST

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Adam Johnson, a former NHL star, tragically died during a match in England in 2023. His throat was accidentally cut by the skate of Sheffield Steelers' Matt Petgrave, resulting in his death despite immediate medical attention. The incident sparked calls for enhanced safety measures in ice hockey. Johnson's team, the Nottingham Panthers, retired his jersey in his honor.

When former Pittsburgh Penguins’ player Adam Johnson tragically died while playing hockey in England

Image via Getty Images

Adam Johnson, one of the most popular and talented players in the NHL, suffered a tragic death in 2023 when he was only 29 years old. The young player had played 13 NHL matches for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 2019 and 2020. In 2022, Adam Johnson decided to join the Augsburger Panther of the DEL, and in 2023, he decided to leave the team and signed a deal with the Nottingham Panthers, where the tragedy struck.

Former Pittsburgh Penguins’ Player Adam Johnson Suffered A Tragic Death In England While Playing Ice Hockey

After playing 13 NHL matches for the Pittsburgh Penguins and a few matches in the AHL, Adam Johnson decided to go to Europe in 2022. In 2023, while he was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers, Adam Johnson’s throat was cut by the skate of Matt Petgrave of the Sheffield Steelers.

The tragic incident happened in front of a crowd of 8000 spectators at the Utility Arena in Sheffield, England.
In 2023, the unsettling and disturbing video of Adam Johnson’s throat being cut by Matt Petgrave’s skate went viral. Both the players fell on the ice together, and while Matt Petgrave got up, Adam Johnson’s jersey was covered in blood. The talented player was taken to a local hospital, where he unfortunately passed away.
Adam Johnson’s team, the Nottingham Panther,s released a statement for his death. The statement read as, “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 Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.”
The statement added, “Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.”
Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave, whose skate had unfortunately cut Adam Johnson’s throat, resulting in his death, was arrested after an investigation, but the player was released on bail shortly.
Adam Johnson’s death called for more safety equipment for the hockey players. His team, the Nottingham Panthers, also retired his jersey as a tribute to him.
Also Read: Throwback: When Bruins’ Milan Lucic went on an "indefinite leave" after he was charged with physically assaulting his now ex-wife in 2023

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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