Adam Johnson Hockey
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Dominating the ice: Adam Johnson hockey player

Adam Johnson hockey player was born on June 22, 1994, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to parents Susan and Davey Johnson. After finishing his studies at Hibbing High School, he played junior ice hockey in the USHL with the Indiana Ice and Sioux City Musketeers, earning the distinction of being a USHL All-Star in 2015.

Despite not being drafted by the NHL, he went on to play collegiate ice hockey for two seasons with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in the NCHC. In his sophomore year (2016-17), Johnson scored 18 goals and accumulated 37 points over 42 games, ranking second on the team in both categories.

Adam Johnson Hockey
Adam Johnson (Getty Images)

His performance was instrumental in helping Minnesota Duluth reach the 2017 Frozen Four, including scoring a power play goal in the overtime victory against Boston University. The Bulldogs, however, were defeated by Denver 3-2 in the championship game.

Adam Johnson Hockey Player

Adam Johnson hockey player was an American professional ice hockey forward who played 13 games in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons.

He also played for European teams including the Malmö Redhawks, Augsburger Panther, and Nottingham Panthers. Johnson tragically passed away in an accident where his neck was cut by another player’s skate blade during an on-ice collision, leading to fatal blood loss.

Career and Records

In July 2017, after attending the Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospect camp, Johnson signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the team. He became the second-leading scorer for Pittsburgh’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

  • Adam Johnson hockey player played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2017–18 season.
  • Made NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 21, 2019, in a 2–1 win over the Nashville Predators.
  • Played a total of 13 NHL games and scored one goal in a 7–4 win against the Minnesota Wild on October 12.
  • He joined the Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2020–21 season on December 15, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the North American season.
  • He scored seven goals and 12 points in 21 regular season games.
  • He ended his contract and returned to North America on March 27, 2021.
  • He signed with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, the primary affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, on April 6, 2021, for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.
  • Adam Johnson hockey player posted 11 points in 14 games for the Reign.
  • Adam Johnson hockey player continued with the Reign into the 2021–22 season, registering one goal and six points in 28 regular season games.
  • Johnson traded to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on February 17, 2022, in exchange for future considerations.
  • Adam  Johnson hockey player returned to Europe in the 2022 off-season, signing a one-year deal with the Augsburger Panther of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) on September 12, 2022.
  • Adam scored seven goals and 22 points in 45 regular season games.
  • Adam left the club after his contract ended on March 17, 2023.
  • Adam joined the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) for the 2023–24 season in August 2023.

Adam Johnson Hockey Player’s Contract

Adam Johnson Hockey player signed two professional contracts during his career, with a combined total value of $2,550,000. Over the span of two seasons in the NHL, he played in at least one game per season and accumulated a total of 4 points (goals and assists combined) in 13 games played (GP).

Age, Height, and Weight

Adam Johnson Hockey player, born on June 22, 1994, and tragically passing on October 28, 2023, at the age of 29, was a professional ice hockey player known for his skill and versatility. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) and weighing 174 pounds (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb), Johnson played the position of center. His physical attributes and athleticism made him a valuable player on the ice, contributing significantly to the teams he played for throughout his career.

Stats

During the 2022–23 season, Adam Johnson hockey player scored seven goals and accumulated 22 points over the course of 45 regular-season games. Unfortunately, the Panthers ended the season in the relegation zone, prompting Johnson to depart from the club after his contract expired on March 17, 2023.

2018-19 Season:

    • Games Played (GP): 6
    • Goals (G): 0
    • Assists (A): 2
    • Points (Pts): 2
  • 2019-20 Season:
    • Games Played (GP): 7
    • Goals (G): 1
    • Assists (A): 1
    • Points (Pts): 2
  • Career Totals:
    • Games Played (GP): 13
    • Goals (G): 1
    • Assists (A): 3
    • Points (Pts): 4

Death and Investigations

On October 28, 2023, during a game against the Sheffield Steelers at Utilita Arena with 8,000 spectators in attendance, Adam Johnson suffered a fatal injury when his throat was cut by the skate of Steelers’ player Matt Petgrave during an on-ice collision in the 35th minute.

Adam Johnson Hockey
Adam Johnson (Getty Images)

Video footage of the incident showed Petgrave’s left skate rising towards Johnson’s throat as Petgrave began to fall after colliding with another Panthers player. Johnson, bleeding heavily, attempted to skate to the team bench but collapsed on the ice. Paramedics immediately attended to him while players formed a protective ring around him. Protective sheets were then raised, and players were sent to the locker rooms as spectators were asked to leave the arena.

Adam Johnson hockey player was taken to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at the age of 29. News of his death was withheld until the following morning to allow time to inform his family.

  • In response to Adam Johnson’s death, the EIHL suspended all games scheduled for October 29.
  • Leagues and teams worldwide issued statements mourning Johnson’s death and held pre-game ceremonies in his honor.
  • A fan fundraising campaign to support Johnson’s family quickly surpassed its initial goal of £5,000 and then its adjusted goal of £10,000 within the same day.
  • Hundreds of fans, along with Panthers players and staff, gathered outside Nottingham Arena to lay flowers and other tributes in a makeshift memorial.
  • Moments of silence were observed across the NHL.
  • Johnson’s teammate, Westin Michaud, speculated that Petgrave’s actions were unintentional, dismissing claims to the contrary.
  • The Nottingham Panthers referred to Johnson’s death as a “freak accident” in a statement on Twitter.
  • The South Yorkshire Police opened an investigation into the death.
  • In England, causing grievous bodily harm resulting in death can constitute murder; a lesser charge of constructive manslaughter is also possible.
  • An autopsy confirmed that Johnson died from the neck wound.
  • On November 14, 17 days after the incident, South Yorkshire Police announced the arrest of an unnamed man on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with Johnson’s death, who was later released on police bail.
  • A man, who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter concerning the passing of Nottingham Panthers ice hockey star Adam Johnson, has had his bail extended. Detectives confirmed that his bail was extended on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Adam Johnson hockey player was a talented and dedicated ice hockey player whose career, though tragically cut short, left a lasting impact on the sport. With his skill on the ice and contributions to various teams, Johnson demonstrated his passion and commitment to the game. While his untimely passing saddened the hockey community, his memory lives on through the indelible mark he left on the sport and the hearts of fans worldwide.

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