Former NHL Player Dies After ‘Freak Accident’ on Ice

Former NHL player Adam Johnson died Saturday after a “freak accident” during a game in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). He was 29 years old. The Nottingham Panthers announced his death Sunday in a statement.

“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 statement read. “The Club will dearly miss him and will never forget him.”

Johnson was involved in a mid-ice collision midway through the second period against the Sheffield Steelers and the injury is believed to have been a skate blade to Johnson’s neck, per the BBC. 

The Challenge Cup match at Sheffield Arena was stopped and Johnson received emergency treatment on the ice while players formed a ring around him. The disturbing video of the injury showed Johnson attempting to get back up and skate while bleeding before officials and teammates stopped him, signaling for help. 

Fans were evacuated, the game was stopped and he was transported to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital before the announcement of his death. 

Johnson, originally from Minnesota, played collegiately for the University of Minnesota Duluth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) and went undrafted. He eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he appeared in 13 total games during two different stints with the team. He scored one goal in the NHL.