Penguins Pay Special Tribute to Adam Johnson Days After His Death

The Penguins held a touching tribute to former player Adam Johnson before their game on Monday, days after he died as the result of an on-ice accident during a game in England. 

Johnson died Saturday after suffering a cut to the neck from an opposing player’s skate during a game for the Nottingham Panthers of England’s Elite Ice Hockey League. He was 29. 

Johnson signed his first pro contract with the Penguins in 2017 and played 13 games for the franchise in the ’18–19 and ’19–20 seasons. Before Monday night’s game against the Ducks, Pittsburgh paid tribute to Johnson as players from both teams gathered in a circle at center ice while a video commemorating his time in Pittsburgh played on the scoreboard. 

After the video, the public address announcer asked fans not to hold a moment of silence, but to stand up and give Johnson one last cheer. 

The Penguins also wore helmet decals with Johnson’s No. 47. 

Several of Johnson’s former teammates reflected on his passing before the game, including Sidney Crosby. 

“It’s something that we’ve all been thinking about since finding out,” Crosby said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. He’s just a great guy, a great teammate. Had an awesome attitude while he was here. Just genuinely happy to be playing in the NHL. So it’s heartbreaking.”