DULUTH, Minn. — Adam Johnson, a former University of Minnesota-Duluth men’s hockey player and Hibbing native, has died after a “freak accident” Saturday while playing in England.
The 29-year-old Minnesota native was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers when he suffered a slashed neck during the second period of the game at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
“The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night,” the team said Sunday morning.
“Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him.”
According to the Nottingham Panthers, the injury occurred midway through the second period in a game against the Sheffield Steelers. The teams returned to their locker rooms before spectators were eventually asked to leave the arena.
The Minnesota Wild also paid tribute to Johnson on social media, saying “The State of Hockey is grieving for Adam, his family, and his hockey community.”
The University of Minnesota Duluth released a statement on Sunday, which read in part:
“We are deeply devastated to learn last evening of the passing of Adam Johnson. Adam was loved and admired by his teammates, coaches, and staff. As talented as he was on the ice, he was an even better person. Adam remained connected to the program, and for our time with him we are eternally grateful. Adam, we love you, we will miss you.”
In his career, Johnson skated in 81 of 82 games after joining the Bulldog program in 2015-16 and had 55 points (24 goals and 31 assists). He was also a two-time NCHC All-Academic Team selection, according to UMD.
Johnson played for the Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets before spending two seasons playing juniors in the USHL. He went on to play two seasons with the Bulldogs, helping them to a national runner-up finish in 2017. That summer, Johnson signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he went on to appear in 13 NHL games. Johnson’s only NHL goal came in a game on Oct. 12, 2019 against the Minnesota Wild.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Adam Johnson, his family, friends, and the Nottingham Panthers organization tonight,” the Hibbing-Chisholm Youth Hockey Association posted on Facebook. “Ice hockey is a family, and we are praying for one of our own tonight.”
The UK Elite League announced the three games scheduled for Sunday in Belfast, Fife and Guildford have been postponed following Johnson’s death.
*This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is made available.
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