Alex Smith and Matt Taylor reported from Nottingham for BBC News. Following an incident during a match on October 28, 2023, professional ice hockey player Adam Johnson tragically passed away due to a neck injury sustained from a collision with Matt Petgrave of the Sheffield Steelers. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that no criminal charges would be brought against Petgrave, ruling out prosecution after determining that there was not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense.
Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, expressed the shock and sorrow over the incident, highlighting the collaborative effort between the CPS and South Yorkshire Police in assessing potential criminal charges against Petgrave. Despite the thorough investigation conducted by the police and a comprehensive review of all evidence by the CPS, no prosecution will take place in this case. Petgrave, a Canadian national, had been under investigation and on bail for 17 months since his arrest in November 2023, rebailed multiple times as the investigation unfolded. He consistently denied the allegations, referring to the collision as a “tragic accident.”
The untimely death of Adam Johnson, originally from Minnesota in the US, resonated globally, prompting an outpouring of grief. Johnson, a former player in North America’s National Hockey League (NHL), transitioned to European leagues before joining the Nottingham Panthers in August 2023. His family members, including his aunt Kari Johnson and partner Ryan Wolfe, mourned his loss, with plans of a future proposal tragically cut short by the devastating incident. The Nottingham Panthers honored Johnson by retiring his number 47 jersey in a heartfelt ceremony, recognizing his exceptional talent and outstanding character on and off the ice.
In the aftermath of Adam Johnson’s passing, concerns about player safety in ice hockey were raised. The lack of a neck guard during the collision raised alarms, prompting Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden to advocate for mandatory neck guard usage in the sport to prevent future tragedies. While the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) mandated the use of neck guards from 2024 onwards, the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) stopped short of making them compulsory, choosing instead to strongly encourage players and officials to prioritize safety measures in light of Johnson’s unfortunate death
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