Adam Johnson dead: Tragedy as Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player, 29, dies after skate blade 'slashed his throat'

NOTTINGHAM Panthers ice hockey star Adam Johnson has died after a skate blade allegedly cut his throat in a horrific match injury.

Terrified fans were asked to leave Sheffield Stadium after a “major medical emergency” on Saturday night.

Adam Johnson at the rink moments before the horrific accident

Johnson’s mum Kari paid tribute to him on Facebook

Adam Johnson previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins Credit: 2019 Getty Images

Fans have been asked to evacuate the venue in Sheffield

Former NHL star Johnson, 29, suffered a cut in his throat in the freak accident, according to witnesses.

The game between his new team Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers had to be abandoned.

Johnson’s mother, Kari, said, “I lost half my heart tonight.”

The team said: “Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at last night’s game in Sheffield.

“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.

“Everyone at the club, including the players, staff, board and owners, is devastated by the news of Adam’s death.

“Our thoughts are also with the fans and staff of both clubs, particularly those who attended or followed the game, who will be devastated by today’s news.”

South Yorkshire Police said: “We were called at 8.25pm yesterday to reports that a player had been seriously injured during the Sheffield Steelers v Nottingham Panthers match at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

“Police officers attended the scene along with other emergency services, and a man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“Unfortunately, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

“Our officers remain at the scene and are carrying out inquiries today and our investigation into the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing.”

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said last night: “We were called to the Sheffield Steelers game at Sheffield Arena at 8.21 this evening.

“We treated the man and sent two ambulances and an intensive care paramedic and sent one patient to hospital.”

“TERRIFYING SCENES”

Eyewitnesses say players from both teams formed a ring around Johnson because there was apparently a lot of blood.

Around 8,000 fans are believed to have witnessed the horrific collision between the two players at the Utilita Arena Sheffield.

One person wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “The paramedics are on the ice now, the players are forming a ring around him and now the screens are up around him.

“Horrible scenes here at Sheffield Arena.”

The match was quickly stopped before screens were put in place to allow the player and medical staff privacy while he was treated.

CPR was said to have been performed on the Panther forward.

Paramedics rushed to the scene before the American player was rushed to hospital.

Nottingham Panthers’ official Twitter account earlier tweeted: “Players are back in the changing rooms.”

The account then posted the following: “Fans have been asked to evacuate the building due to a major medical emergency.”

Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, home of the Panthers, posted on X: “Our sincere thoughts go out to Adam Johnson, his loved ones, all Panthers players, staff, fans and the entire ice hockey community following his horrific injury tonight.”

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said they were called at around 8.20pm on Saturday night and two crews and an ambulance attended the scene.

HOCKEY STAR

Johnson joined the Panthers for the 2023-2024 season.

He played in four of the world’s top leagues, including 13 games for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

The forward was born in Hibbing, Minnesota and began his professional career with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2017-18. in the American Hockey League, scoring 31 points in the regular season.

He spent a total of three years with the Pennsylvania-based team, contributing 139 points in the league and playoffs.

His performances earned him a call-up to Pittsburgh where he had four points in 13 games over two years and scored the Penguins’ third goal in a 7-4 win at the Minnesota Wild in October 2019.

In the 2020-21 season. he played in the SHL – the highest level in Sweden – scoring 12 points before returning to the AHL.

After a season and a half split between the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Johnson spent last season in the German DEL for the Augsburger Panther.