According to South Yorkshire police, a British professional hockey player was taken into custody on Tuesday, suspected of manslaughter in the on-ice death of former NHL player Adam Johnson.
On October 28, Johnson was slain during a game between the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers, two British professional teams.
Johnson, a Panthers player, was slashed by a skate during the game, resulting in a fatal neck injury.
Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall released a statement, saying, “Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances.”
“We have been speaking to highly specialized experts in their field to assist in our enquiries,” the statement continued.
“We also continue to work closely with Sheffield City Council’s health and safety department, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.”
Johnson’s family had requested privacy and was receiving help during the inquiry, according to South Yorkshire police.
Prior to signing with the Panthers before the 2023 season, Johnson, 29, played 13 games for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020, primarily with the team’s minor league club.
He also had stints in the Swedish and German hockey leagues.
The center was from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and played for the University of Minnesota, even scoring a game-winning overtime goal in the Frozen Four in 2017.
He went undrafted and signed with the Penguins following that season.
“Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world,” Horsfall said.
“We know these communities will expect us to handle this investigation with the same professionalism, fairness and sensitivity as any other and request that members of the public refrain from comment and speculation which could hinder this process.
Our thoughts remain with all affected by this devastating incident as enquiries continue.”
