Authorities in the United Kingdom have apprehended an individual in connection with the tragic passing of Adam Johnson, a 29-year-old hockey player from Hibbing, Minnesota. The arrest occurred on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
While the suspect’s identity has not been officially disclosed, it has been widely reported that hockey player Matt Petgrave was the individual whose skate blade inflicted the fatal cut on Johnson’s neck during a game last month. The incident occurred during an October 28th match between Johnson’s team, the Nottingham Panthers, and the Sheffield Steelers.
The arrest follows an extensive investigation conducted by South Yorkshire Police into the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s untimely death. The incident, initially characterized as a “freak accident” by the Nottingham Panthers, has now taken a more serious turn with the arrest of Petgrave.
The exact nature of the charges against Petgrave has not yet been made public. However, the arrest indicates that authorities believe his actions played a direct role in Johnson’s demise.
Further details regarding the investigation and the charges against Petgrave are expected to be released in the coming days.
Who is Petgrave?
As per NHL reports, Petgrave, aged 31, has been part of the Sheffield Steelers for a duration of two seasons. The Steelers, a professional hockey team situated in Sheffield, England, acknowledged Petgrave during their recent game on Sunday night against the Coventry Blaze. This match marked the Steelers’ first home game following Johnson’s passing.
Various social media videos captured the moment of the standing ovation for Petgrave, who, notably, did not participate in the game.
Following the tragic incident, Westin Michaud, Johnson’s teammate, took to social media to support Matt Petgrave.
“We unequivocally stand behind Matt Petgrave. The unwarranted hate directed at Matt is distressing and entirely unjustified. I was at ice level on the bench closest to the accident, observing both players moving swiftly,” Michaud stated on X(Twitter). “It’s evident to me that his actions were unintentional, and anyone suggesting otherwise is mistaken.”
Petgrave, who went undrafted, entered the Ontario Hockey League in 2009. Over the years, he has played in various leagues, including USports, the East Coast Hockey League in New Jersey, the American Hockey League, among others.
Hailing from Toronto, in the Canadian province of Ontario, Petgrave has had a diverse and extensive hockey career.
More Information:
A suspect has been taken into custody by British authorities on charges of manslaughter in connection with the on-ice death of American hockey player Adam Johnson. The tragic incident occurred when Johnson’s throat was slashed in a collision with the opposition player, Matt Petgrave, who was applauded in his return to the game with the Sheffield Steelers.
The arrested individual, identified as a man, has not had further details disclosed by the authorities. Matt Petgrave, a prominent player for the Sheffield Steelers, received a standing ovation during his first game back since the fatal collision on October 28.
Approximately 8,000 spectators witnessed the horrifying scene as Johnson, a 28-year-old Minnesota native and former Pittsburgh Penguins player, skated off the ice while holding his bleeding neck. He collapsed shortly afterward and was pronounced dead at a hospital later that night.
South Yorkshire Police, in a statement, mentioned consulting with “highly specialized experts” before making the arrest and acknowledged the profound impact of Johnson’s death, stating that it sent “shockwaves” throughout the hockey community.
Johnson’s tragic incident with the Nottingham Panthers has been initially labeled as a “freak accident,” but doubts have emerged, challenging this characterization. Former NHL player Sean Avery expressed his concern to Fox News, describing the move by Petgrave as “very unorthodox” and criticizing the position of Petgrave’s leg during the collision.
Avery stated, “It’s terrible. I can’t even watch the video back.” Kari Johnson, Adam’s 62-year-old aunt, condemned Petgrave’s hit as “very reckless” and asserted that it was not in line with the spirit of hockey. She called for a thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing that such actions have no place in the sport.
Kari Johnson, watching the game live with Adam’s parents in Minnesota during the fatal collision, expressed gratitude for the diligent police investigation. She highlighted the Johnson family’s ongoing struggle and advocated for increased safety measures, noting that Adam has become a symbol for the use of neckguards in hockey.
While some have supported Petgrave, including his teammates, Westin Michaud, a fellow Sheffield player, defended Petgrave on social media. Michaud explained that Petgrave’s leg went airborne due to an unintentional clip by an opposing player, causing him to lose balance. He emphasized that the backlash against Petgrave was unwarranted and that the incident was not intentional.
In the midst of conflicting perspectives, the incident has sparked a broader discussion on player safety and the need for increased measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.