Adam Johnson: Inquest to open into death of ice hockey player

An inquest into the death of an ice hockey player whose neck was fatally cut is due to open on Friday.

Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson was pronounced dead in hospital after sustaining the injury from a skate worn by Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave on Saturday evening.

An inquest into the 29-year-old's death will open at the Medico-Legal Centre in Sheffield.

The Nottingham Panthers have described his death as a "freak accident".

South Yorkshire Police said officers had been studying footage of the incident and added the investigation "is likely to take some time".

Fans have been invited by the Panthers to attend a memorial event at their home stadium on Saturday.

The Motorpoint Arena will be open from 17:30 GMT for a gathering to remember the player, the club said.

A two-minute silence in memory of Johnson, who studied at Loughborough Business School, will take place at 20:20 GMT.

The club launched an official fundraising page on Tuesday evening "with the permission of Adam's family".

A commemorative ice hockey puck created in the player's memory was unveiled on Wednesday.

Money raised by the sale of the puck and the fundraising page will support charitable activities in Johnson's home city of Hibbing, Minnesota.

He previously played in North America's National Hockey League, playing 13 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Johnson moved to the Swedish Hockey League for the 2020-21 season before spells with the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League.

He played for the Augsburger Panther in Germany before joining the Nottingham Panthers in August.

BBC Sport understands Johnson was not wearing a neck guard.

Former player and Sky Sports commentator Nick Rothwell, said he believed more players would wear neck guards following Johnson's death.

"I think a lot of guys will wear one to honour Adam," he said.

"They will feel like they have lost a brother, so what can they do?

"They can wear a neck guard and it is nothing to be ashamed of."

The Canadian, who played for the Sheffield Steelers, said he thought the clubs who were the fiercest rivals in UK ice hockey might now come together.

"I think this will unite them in a way they never thought before," he said.

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