Matt Petgrave (top right) and Adam Johnson (bottom right) collided in a Oct. 28, 2023 — Petgrave’s skate fatally slashed Johnson’s neck. (Screenshot on left: Inside Edition; image of Petgrave playing for Team Carbonneau: Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire; image of Johnson: Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Cops in the United Kingdom announced that they arrested a man for manslaughter in connection to killing a hockey player during a game. They did not name the suspect behind Adam Johnson’s death, but Matt Petgrave was the player whose skate fatally slashed Johnson during a Oct. 28 game between their teams.
According to South Yorkshire Police, Johnson, 29, was seriously injured during a game between his Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers for the UK-based Elite Ice Hockey League.
As seen on graphic footage, Petgrave, wearing a red Steeler’s uniform, collided with a Panther player. He kept going, and his leg jutted out, striking Johnson. Others led Johnson off the ice — blood spurting onto the rink and down his uniform.
Police said he died at the hospital.
“In all of my 50-some years playing and watching hockey, I have never, ever seen something like that,” the man’s aunt, Carrie Johnson, told Inside Edition in a Nov. 1 report.
At the time, police were investigating but announced no charges.
“I do believe the kick was deliberate,” she said.
Now the defendant is charged with manslaughter.
Adam Johnson briefly played for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins as a forward.
His family asks for privacy, officers said.
From Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall:
Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances.
We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our enquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.
Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world. We know these communities will expect us to handle this investigation with the same professionalism, fairness and sensitivity as any other and request that members of the public refrain from comment and speculation which could hinder this process. Our thoughts remain with all affected by this devastating incident as enquiries continue.
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