Adam Johnson's teammate says his tragic death was an accident; Penguins pay tribute
As a police investigation into the tragic death of Adam Johnson during a hockey game in the U.K. continues, Johnson's teammate and fellow Minnesotan Westin Michaud has spoken out in support of Matt Petgrave.
"I need to address something about the accident," Michaud, who is from Cloquet, posted to his Twitter account Monday. "We wholeheartedly stand with Matt Petgrave. The hate that Matt is receiving is terrible and completely uncalled for. I was at ice level on the bench closest to the accident, I saw both players moving fast.
"The unintentional clip of the Panther player's leg by the Sheffield player caused the somersault," continued Michaud. "It's clear to me his actions were unintentional and anyone suggesting otherwise is mistaken. Let's come together and not spread unwarranted hate to someone who needs our support."
Johnson, playing for the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League based in England, was skating up the ice when he was hit in the neck by the skate blade of Petgrave, of the Sheffield Steelers.
The Hibbing native was immediately treated by paramedics on the ice. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that Johnson was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.
Petgrave has been "receiving vile online messages" since the incident, one supporter told the Daily Mail.
Johnson helped lead his high school team to the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament in 2011 and was a Mr. Hockey finalist in 2012-13. He then starred at the University of Minnesota-Duluth for two seasons.
Oct 30, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Members of the Anaheim Ducks and the Pittsburgh Penguins stand at center ice for a moment of silence at the PPG Paints Arena to honor former Penguin forward Adam Johnson (on scoreboard) who was tragically killed in a hockey related accident in Europe.
© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Johnson appeared in 13 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins over the course of two season from 2018-2020, scoring his only NHL goal against the Wild, in Minnesota. Moments of silence were held around the NHL Monday with the Penguins adding "AJ 47" decals to their helmets.
His death has sparked moves to revisit safety protections for hockey players particularly as it pertains to the neck area, with the likes of Bauer Hockey calling for a mandating of neck protection.
