Remembering Adam Johnson

The hockey world is mourning the loss of 29-year-old hockey player Adam Johnson, who died after an on-ice incident Saturday during a game with his Elite Ice Hockey League team the Nottingham Panthers in England.

According to his team and reported by the Associated Press, Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during the game against the Sheffield Steelers at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena. 

Born in Grand Rapids, Johnson helped lead the Hibbing/Chisholm boys’ hockey team to the state tournament in 2011. Johnson scored a natural hat trick in the Class 1A boys’ state semifinals, a 6-4 loss to Hermantown. 

He went on to play for the University of Minnesota-Duluth. His overtime winner against Boston University in the 2017 NCAA Tournament sent the Bulldogs to the Frozen Four. 

Johnson played 13 career NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. His only NHL goal came against his home-state team, the Minnesota Wild, on Oct. 12, 2019 at Xcel Energy Center. Johnson also recorded one of his three career assists in that game, which the Penguins won 7-4.

Johnson spent the 2020-21 hockey season playing in Sweden. 

Tributes to Johnson poured in starting Sunday morning. 

The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night. pic.twitter.com/lhSOkDu03Q

— The Nottingham Panthers (@PanthersIHC) October 29, 2023

The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson. Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates. https://t.co/kgLN8bf0RV pic.twitter.com/fYEiuGw0yC

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 29, 2023

Bulldog Hockey Mourns the Passing of Former Standout Adam Johnson https://t.co/59XpJqpffz pic.twitter.com/0cH801qdS4

— UMD Men’s Hockey (@UMDMensHockey) October 29, 2023

UMD coach mourns fallen hockey player Adam Johnson: “They all loved him” https://t.co/j57iwTel2H

— WCCO | CBS News Minnesota (@WCCO) October 30, 2023

Forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/oGkbtjANPN

— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 30, 2023

Very emotional scenes as Nottingham Panthers players laid flowers and spoke to hundreds of fans who arrived at the Motorpoint Arena to pay respects to player Adam Johnson who died last night #panthers pic.twitter.com/VnRfVEs6LX

— Sarah Hawley (formerly Teale) (@sarahhawleytv) October 29, 2023

I was able to find 21 of the 24 goals Adam Johnson scored in UMD colors. Listen to them, presented in chronological order, here: https://t.co/YI2r6ADUXi

— Bruce Ciskie (@BruceCiskie) October 29, 2023

Instead of silence, the Penguins asked for the crowd to give a final cheer for Adam Johnson. Quite a moment. pic.twitter.com/48TBRn4vh4

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) October 30, 2023

Anybody looking/asking what they can do for Adam Johnson’s family up in Hibbing, there’s now a page up on MealTrain.

They have meal slots for anybody located up north and a way to donate for those who aren’t.

Do your thing, Minnesota hockey community.https://t.co/BJwY024HCk

— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) October 30, 2023