Adam Johnson Remembered One Year After Death; Former Coach States He “Will Never Be Forgotten”

The one-year anniversary of ice hockey player Adam Johnson’s death, which resulted from a blade injury to the neck, was commemorated with tributes, with his former coach stating he “will never be forgotten.” Johnson, a forward for the Nottingham Panthers, passed away on October 28, 2023, after a collision involving Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave. To honor Johnson, who wore the number 47, clubs nationwide observed 47-second applauses over the weekend. Kevin Moore, who served as assistant coach for the Panthers last season, conveyed to BBC Sport that the tragedy was “unbelievable in the worst way possible.” Moore remarked, “It’s something I still think about weekly.” He continued, “And every game I do my best to just say a little prayer for him and his family and honour him. He’ll never be forgotten in this community and certainly I’ll never forget him either.” When questioned about his lasting memory of Johnson, Moore, currently the coach of Coventry Blaze, responded, “He had such a way about him that was selfless.” He further elaborated, “He was the best player on our team, in my opinion he was the best player in the league. And to have somebody of that stature with no ego, it’s everything you want when you’re coaching, you want your players to be like that. I think his character as a man is what I’ll remember about him the most.” Tributes were also offered prior to the Nottingham Panthers’ 3-1 loss against Manchester Storm. In November of the previous year, an individual was apprehended on suspicion of manslaughter concerning the incident and has since been re-bailed until the following month. However, Victor Bjorkung, a former team-mate of Johnson, expressed frustration regarding the duration of the ongoing investigation. He stated, “The whole police investigation, I think it’s been taking way too long, for Adam’s family and everyone involved in the whole thing.” Bjorkung added, “But I understand why as well, nothing like this has ever happened before. So it’s not an easy black or white, this is right and this is wrong.” South Yorkshire Police responded by saying: “In the year since the incident, we have been working meticulously to fully investigate the unprecedented circumstances in which Adam sadly lost his life.” They continued, “This is a complex investigation which has involved conversations with highly specialised experts in their field.” The police force concluded, “Our work is continuing, and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.” Following Johnson’s death, safety modifications have been implemented within the sport. The updated International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rulebook, effective for the 2024/25 season in global hockey, mandates neck guards in all IIHF-affiliated leagues. As of January 1, 2024, neck guards became compulsory in the Elite League. Nevertheless, they remain optional in the National Hockey League (NHL). Bjorkung commented further: “We are moving forward slowly, but I think it has to come to the top league, the NHL, as well – where they put their neck guards on and show the younger kids that it is cool to wear one, it is cool to be safe, rather than not wear one and try to look a certain way. It is cooler to be safe in my opinion.”