Tragic Death of American Hockey Player Adam Johnson in “Freak Accident” During UK Game

American hockey player Adam Johnson has died following a “freak accident” during a game in England on Saturday. Johnson, who was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in the UK Elite League against the Sheffield Steelers, suffered a serious cut to the neck from a skate during the game at Utilita Arena Sheffield.

The Nottingham Panthers announced his death on social media early Sunday morning, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that the “incredible” athlete died “following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night.” The Panthers tweeted Saturday the Challenge Cup game was “stopped” Saturday night for a “bad injury” and players returned to the locker rooms.

Fans were later asked to leave the building “due to a major medical emergency.” Johnson was taken to a hospital in Sheffield, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) released a statement Sunday expressing their “deepest sympathies” to Johnson’s family and friends. “Adam was an incredible player and a great person,” the statement read. “He will be sorely missed by everyone in the EIHL and the wider hockey community.”

Johnson was a native of Minnesota and had been playing for the Panthers since 2019. He had previously played for the Minnesota Wild and the San Jose Sharks in the NHL. He was also a member of Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.