Adam Johnson, an American hockey player known for his 13-game stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, tragically passed away following a “freak accident” during a game in England on Saturday, as confirmed by his club.
Hailing from Minnesota and aged 29, Johnson was representing the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup match against the Sheffield Steelers at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
He was struck in the neck by Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave boot blade, who appeared to lose his footing after tripping in a prior collision.
Before his time with the Nottingham Panthers, Johnson’s professional journey included a brief tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played in 13 games across the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. During his time with the Penguins, he contributed with one goal and three assists.
Johnson’s hockey career began in college at Minnesota-Duluth, where he played a pivotal role in helping the Bulldogs make it to two NCAA tournaments. He became a hero in the 2017 tournament when he scored an overtime game-winning goal, securing Minnesota-Duluth’s spot in the Frozen Four by defeating Boston University.
In addition to his NHL and college experiences, Johnson also played for multiple American Hockey League teams during his career. He even ventured to Germany with the Augsburg Panther for the 2022-23 season before deciding to join the Nottingham Panthers for the 2023-24 campaign.