‘Traumatised’ teammate & pal of tragic Adam Johnson quits Nottingham Panthers after witnessing horror death during game
A ‘traumatised’ teammate and friend of Adam Johnson has quit the Nottingham Panthers after witnessing his horrific death.
The Nottingham Panthers player, 29, died in hospital after suffering a gash to his throat during a mid-game collision.
The former NHL player was struck by a stray ice skate as he clashed with Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave around 35 minutes into the game.
Blood was seen on the ice as Johnson fell to the floor, before he was helped towards the side of the rink by a teammate.
Victor Bjorkung, who was playing for the Panthers on the night of the accident, has announced his departure from the team.
Speaking to Swedish outlet Expressen,said he had struggled wit his emotions since the death of his friend.
He said: “I have tried to suppress a lot. You are so shocked at the moment, everything goes so damn fast.
“One moment you have your friend there, the next second he’s gone. Being on the ice when a friend I hold close dies like that. It’s terrible. It went so damn fast
“I was a few meters away from him and I have a lot of memory gaps, but I have been told that I played the puck up to him on the left wing and then it takes a few seconds before… well, everyone knows what happens after that.”
Panthers confirmed the player was leaving the club on Monday. Their statement read: “We are sad to be losing a member of this close-knit team, but fully respect and understand his decision not to return.”
The club then included a farewell statement from the player which read: “I have loved every second of playing for the club and my team-mates. I’m more than proud of them. The fans have been
amazing from day one – thank you for everything.
“I don’t know where hockey will take me moving forward but I will take all the good memories with me and play in Adam’s honour.”
Fans flocked to the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday for a memorial game against Manchester Storm.
Last week, a man was arrested on charges of manslaughter by South Yorkshire Police, but was later released on bail.
Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said: “Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances.
“We have been speaking to highly specialised 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.”
A coroner who opened the inquest into Johnson’s death warned that there could be more ice hockey deaths unless neck guards become mandatory.
The UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League has said it will not enforce mandatory wearing of the safety equipment but would “strongly encourage” players and officials to wear them.
The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), in a change to regulations, has said the guards will become mandatory from 2024.
The Elite League, which includes the Panthers, is not under the governing body’s control.