“Strange accident”: a man is arrested due to the death of a famous American hockey player

A man has been arrested in the UK on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of American hockey player Adam Johnson, police say.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of 29-year-old hockey player Adam Johnson last month, South Yorkshire Police said in a statement on Tuesday.

As CNN recalls, Adam Johnson died after suffering a cut to his neck while playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers in England on October 28.

The Sheffield coroner’s report found that the 29-year-old player “sustained a cut wound to the neck caused by another player’s skate” and later died in hospital as a result of his injury.

A crowd of 8,000 at Sheffield’s Utility Arena watched in horror as desperate attempts were made to save his life as he lay on the ice surrounded by other players. The game was interrupted and the spectators were then asked to leave.

An autopsy confirmed the Minnesota-born star died as a result of a fatal neck injury.

“Our investigation began in the immediate aftermath of this tragedy and since then we have been conducting extensive inquiries to piece together the events that led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” a police statement released by Detective Superintendent Bex Horsfall said.

“We have spoken to highly specialized experts in their field to assist with our inquiries and continue to work closely with Sheffield City Council’s Health and Safety Department, who are supporting our ongoing investigations,” the force said.

The police statement added that the arrested man remains in custody.

Following the death of Adam Johnson, which the Panthers described in an Oct. 29 statement as a “freak accident,” there has been an increased focus on player safety in ice hockey, especially whether neck guards should be used more widely.

“Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local people here in Sheffield to hockey fans around the world,” said Bex Horsfall.

Adam Johnson was born in Hibbing, Minnesota and began his professional career in the American Hockey League before moving to the National Hockey League (NHL).

He played in 13 games over two years for the Pittsburgh Penguins and also spent time in Sweden and Germany before joining the Panthers for the 2023-24 season.

In an online obituary, Johnson’s family remembered him as a “thoughtful, patient and truly authentic” person who “took pleasure in the little everyday things.”

Members of the hockey community around the world paid tribute to the forward, including in the city of Nottingham, where fans laid flowers outside the Motorpoint Arena.

Police said Tuesday that officers are providing support to Adam Johnson’s family as the investigation into his death continues.