Charges Filed In On-Ice Death Of Hockey Player Tied To Los Angeles Kings Organization

ONTARIO, CA — South Yorkshire, United Kingdom police arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter Tuesday in the on-ice death of former Ontario Reign hockey player Adam Johnson. Formerly affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings and the Ontario Reign, Johnson was fatally injured during a game while playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers in early November.

Johnson, 29, died Nov. 4 after a skate blade from an opposing player sliced his neck amid a collision with Steelers player Matt Petgrave.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Johnson died as a result of a fatal neck injury sustained during a hockey game, Patch Minnesota reported.

Police did not identify the man arrested.

Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall released a statement regarding the recent arrest.

"Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy, and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances," Horsfall's statement reads. "We have been speaking to highly specialized experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation."

Horsfall said that Johnson's death "sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world. We know these communities will expect us to handle this investigation with the same professionalism, fairness and sensitivity as any other and request that members of the public refrain from comment and speculation which could hinder this process."

South Yorkshire police said Johnson's family "is being supported through the investigation by our officers," and "they have asked for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly difficult time."

Johnson, a forward for the Nottingham Panthers, was skating with the puck during the Nov. 4 game when he was knocked down, and a Sheffield Steeler player's skate sliced is neck, according to Horsfall.

Video from that moment showed a gory scene, with blood from Johnson's neck covering the ice. He was taken off the rink to receive medical attention, and Johnson's team announced his death a day later.

Johnson began his career after graduating from Hibbing High School in Minnesota in 2013. He went on to play hockey for the Indiana Ice, Sioux City Musketeers, University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, then professionally for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Malmo Redhawks, the Los Angeles Kings minor league Ontario Reign, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Augsburger Panthers and finally, the Nottingham Panthers.

The incident that caused Johnson's death has changed how hockey players are outfitted for games at all levels of play and is still under consideration by the National Hockey League.

Many pro players, including Kings captain Anze Kopitar, Kevin Fiala, and PL Dubois, are now wearing neck guards in addition to their uniform kits, according to Kings Editorial Content Manager Zach Dooley over X.

Of the neck guard, Kopitar said: “It’s adding another layer of protection, and if I can do that without being uncomfortable, I’ll gladly do it.