Ice Hockey Player Avoids Criminal Charges In Ex-NHL Player Adam Johnson's Death After 'Freak Accident'

UK prosecutors have decided not to press charges in the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson, who died in October 2023 after fellow player Matt Petgrave's skate blade cut his neck during a game.

The tragic incident sparked a global debate about player safety. Johnson, a former NHL player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was honored by the Nottingham Panthers, who retired his jersey.

Adam Johnson's death led to new safety regulations, including mandatory neck guards in some leagues and strong recommendations in others.

According to the New York Post, UK prosecutors have confirmed that no charges will be brought in the tragic death of American ice hockey player Johnson.

Johnson, a forward for the Nottingham Panthers, was fatally injured in a collision with Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave on October 28, 2023. He was later pronounced dead in what authorities described as a "shocking and deeply upsetting incident."

In a statement, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn shared that "The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved."

However, he noted that "Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense and so there will not be a prosecution."

He added: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson."

The fatal on-ice collision occurred when Johnson carried the puck into the Sheffield Steelers' defensive zone during a game.

As Petgrave collided with another Nottingham Panthers player, he began to fall, and his left skate lifted, striking Johnson in the neck.

At the time, Johnson was rushed to a nearby hospital but sadly did not survive. The 29-year-old, who previously played for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, died from his injuries, sparking widespread discussion across the hockey community about the need for stronger safety measures on the ice.

In the aftermath, a man was arrested, though South Yorkshire Police never officially named him.

Although he was never officially named, Petgrave acknowledged in a legal fundraising campaign that he had become the subject of the investigation into Johnson's death.

The hockey player was then re-arrested multiple times as authorities continued their investigation into the tragic incident.

Despite the scrutiny, Petgrave received support from within the hockey community, including from Panthers defenseman Victor Björkung, who had passed the puck to Johnson just before the collision.

Björkung publicly defended Petgrave, telling Swedish media there "isn't a chance that it's deliberate." The emotional toll of witnessing the incident ultimately led Björkung to leave the team.

Hailing from Hibbing, Minnesota, Johnson began his professional hockey journey in the American Hockey League before making it to the NHL, where he played 13 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins over two seasons between 2018 and 2020.

His career also took him overseas, with stints in Sweden and Germany, before signing with the Nottingham Panthers for the 2023–24 season.

Outside of hockey, Johnson was building a life in the UK with his fiancée, Ryan Wolfe, and was enrolled at Loughborough Business School.

In tribute, the Nottingham Panthers officially retired Johnson's number 47 jersey during a ceremony to honor his legacy on and off the ice.

Panthers CEO Omar Pacha praised Johnson not just for his skill as an athlete, but for his character. "Adam was a top player, but he was an even better human being," he said.

He went on to call Johnson "a quiet, positive leader, a committed player that guys loved, and a huge, calming presence in the locker room," adding that he "cannot even imagine the feelings" that all of Mr Johnson's friends and family "felt and still feel."

In response to Johnson's tragic death, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) moved swiftly to introduce a new safety regulation mandating the use of neck guards across all levels of competition, including elite tournaments such as the Winter Olympics and World Championships, beginning in early 2024.

In the UK, Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden issued a formal prevention of future deaths report, urging that neck guards be made compulsory in ice hockey to reduce the risk of similar fatalities.

She warned that without such measures, future lives could be at risk. The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), which oversees the sport below the top-tier league, has since enforced mandatory neck guards for all players, which started in 2024.

However, the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), the UK's highest-level professional league and independent of the EIHA, stopped short of introducing a mandate.

Instead, it stated it would "strongly encourage" the use of neck protection among players and officials in light of Johnson's death.