Nottingham Panthers announce touching tribute to player who died after cut to the neck

Adam Johnson in action for the Nottingham Panthers with headgear and hockey stick on ice before his untimely death on October 28, 2023
-Credit: (Image: Panthers Images)


Nottingham Panthers will pay a touching tribute to Adam Johnson, who died after the blade of an ice hockey skate hit his neck, over a year after the tragic incident. Adam's number 47 jersey will officially be retired during a special ceremony taking place on Saturday, December 14.

Adam, 29, died on October 28, 2023, after the blade of an ice hockey skate hit his neck during a game between the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers. He was later pronounced dead in hospital, and a post-mortem examination confirmed he died as a result of a neck injury.

His jersey will be the seventh to be officially retired by the club. It means no future player can use the same number. The ceremony will take place in the presence of members of Adam's family ahead of the team's Elite League game against Fife Flyers.

The game will take place at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena. Panthers chief exec Omar Pacha said: "We were honoured to have Adam in Nottingham and not only was he a great talent on the ice, he was a fantastic person off the ice also.

"Adam made an impact on everyone who met him in the short time he was with us and he will forever be in our thoughts. We all want Adam’s memory to live on for who he was as a person and what he contributed to the sport of ice hockey.

"This will be a very special night for all of us as we come together to retire Adam’s number 47 jersey." Full details about the pre-game shirt retirement ceremony will be announced in due course.

Following Adam's death, a man was arrested on November 14, 2023, on suspicion of manslaughter and was later bailed. He has been re-bailed for the fourth time until November 11, 2024, after the previous bail period, which began when bail was issued for the third time on June 26, expired.