Adam Johnson’s partner Ryan Wolfe shares heartbreaking photo of engagement ring ice hockey star never got to give her
ADAM Johnson’s partner has shared a heartbreaking photo of the engagement ring the ice hockey star never got to give her.
Ryan Wolfe has posted new Instagram tributes to ice hockey star Johnson, who died after a skate slashed his throat during a game.
She shared photos and videos of the Nottingham Panthers player, a month on from the tragedy on the ice at Sheffield‘s Utilita Arena.
It has been revealed how US sportsman Johnson told his family he intended on asking Ryan to marry him.
He never actually proposed before his shock loss, but Ryan now calls herself his fiancée – and shared a photo of the ring on her finger.
Family friends previously told how she had found the ring.
It was the final shot of an Instagram slide tribute to Johnson shared on Thursday to mark the American holiday of Thanksgiving.
Ryan captioned a picture of her kissing Johnson’s cheek with the words: “Thankful for our memories and life together.
“Wish we could’ve had more babe. Missing you so much every single day, love you Adam.”
That snap was followed by footage of Johnson driving and singing along to pop star Katy Perry‘s “Last Friday Night”.
The couple are also shown with Johnson’s arm around her in front of an illuminated “Love” sign and in another he is holding a baby.
Other clips feature Johnson skimming rocks under a setting sun and drawing the couple’s initials within a heart in the sand.
Ryan also posted solo pictures of her boyfriend, such as him holding a puck while wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins T-shirt – his former NHL team in the US.
The final shot of the engagement ring on her finger comes after family friends revealed his plans to propose.
Scott Pionk, whose son played college hockey with Johnson, told USA Today: “His grandmother told me he had shown her the ring before he left and he was going to propose at some point.”
And Johnson’s aunt Kari said: “We were all really excited because we were really looking forward to their future and he didn’t get a chance to ask her, and then this happened.”
Ryan tearfully spoke at a celebration of Johnson’s life at the Memorial Building Arena in Minnesota earlier this month.
It feels like an understatement to say we were boyfriend and girlfriend or fiancées
Ryan Wolfe
She read to mourners a letter she had written expressing what she wished she could have said at their wedding.
She said, addressing Adam: “You made me so insanely happy and it feels like an understatement to say we were boyfriend and girlfriend or fiancées.
“I never really felt like there was a label that could describe us, how well we fit, how in sync and aware of one another we were, how we agreed with everything under the sun – even if sometimes you liked to disagree with me on little things like the quickest way home or the best brand of peanut butter.
“To me you were everything – you were my home, my best friend, my sounding board, my rock, my safe haven and the love of my life.
“I’m never going to stop thinking about you, missing you and loving you until we can be together again.”
Johnson dropped to the ice after a collision in the 35th minute of the fateful match against Sheffield Steelers on October 8.
Blood was seen covering the rink as he was helped to his feet and towards the side by a teammate and referee, only to collapse a few paces later.
Players formed a protective ring while screens were brought out and the 8,000 spectators attending were sent home.
Johnson was taken to hospital, where he is believed to have been back to life before dying during surgery.
Fellow Panthers player Victor Björkung, who was on the ice at the time, has now revealed he will be leaving the club as he struggles with the “traumatising” moment he witnessed.
South Yorkshire Police said on November 14 they had arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with Johnson’s death.
He was bailed the following day, as cops continue to investigate.
A post-mortem examination earlier this month found Johnson’s cause of death was a neck injury.
The coroner opened the inquest warned there could be more ice hockey deaths unless neck guards became mandatory.