Nottingham Fans Commemorate Adam Johnson’s Passing One Year Later

In Nottingham, hundreds of supporters have paid homage to ice hockey player Adam Johnson in anticipation of the first anniversary of his demise. The American, aged 29, sustained a fatal neck injury from a skate blade during an on-ice collision with Matt Petgrave of the Sheffield Steelers on October 28, 2023. Outside the Motorpoint Arena, beneath a memorial plaque dedicated to Johnson, fans placed flowers and messages prior to the Panthers’ 3-1 loss against Manchester Storm on Sunday. The tributes conveyed the sentiment, “Always our number 47.” Several hours before the match, supporters donned their Johnson number 47 jerseys while proceeding to the arena, with many also carrying flowers. Bolero Square was characterized by a calm and solemn atmosphere as fans paused to show their reverence before entering the venue. A 47-second period of applause was observed before the Panthers’ face-off against the Storm, and also across all other Elite League matches, in tribute to Johnson’s memory. The Sheffield Steelers, the team Johnson was competing against at the time of his death, offered their respects to Johnson during their game versus the Cardiff Devils on Saturday. Last year, the Panthers disclosed that his number 47 jersey would be retired, and a special ceremony is scheduled to occur before their Elite League fixture against the Fife Flyers on December 14. As a tribute preceding the one-year anniversary, the Panthers stated: “Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great team-mate and an incredible person. “The club will never ever forget him.”