Police arrest man 'on suspicion of manslaughter' in relation to on-ice throat cutting of hockey player Adam Johnson

The defenseman whose skate blade fatally slit the throat of 29-year-old Minnesota native Adam Johnson in a English hockey game last month received a standing ovation Sunday during his English team's latest home game. On Tuesday, he appears to have received a manslaughter charge.

The incident

England's Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers hit the ice for an Elite Ice Hockey League game on Oct. 28 with 8,000 fans in the stands.

Following an on-ice collision, the Steelers' Toronto-born Matt Petgrave, a journeyman enforcer who leads the EIHL in penalty minutes, went airborne. His skate blade cut open the Adam Johnson's neck.

Johnson, who played in 13 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 2018 and 2022, attempted to skate back to the bench whilst gripping his opened throat.

Paramedics desperately tried to stabilize the player, but Johnson ultimately succumbed to his wound at Sheffield's Northern General Hospital.

The Panthers noted afterwards they were "devastated" that the Minnesotan had died in what they described as a "freak accident," reported the BBC.

"Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great team-mate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him," said the team. "Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam's passing."

Johnson’s fiancée, Ryan Wolfe, said he had "the best sense of humor, the biggest heart, the quickest wit, and the kindest soul.

Footage of the incident went viral, prompting some hockey players to speculate about whether the lethal contact may have been intentional.

Former NHL enforcer Sean Avery told Fox News host Jesse Watters that Petgrave hadn't got up in the morning with the intention of "murdering someone today" but indicated the move was not altogether innocent.

"I've watched it, it's terrible, it's tough to watch," said Avery. "Did this kid make a move that was very unorthodox? Do I think he was trying to make contact of some sort? Absolutely."

Chris Therien, former Philadelphia Flyers and Dallas Stars defenseman, wrote on X, "That Bush league needs to shut down for investigation immediately. I was literally appalled and sickened by what I saw. It looked intentional. It was a Kung fu kick. My eyes are not lying tell me I'm wrong."

Marc Methot, another former NHL player-turned-sports analyst, responded, "I refuse to believe the defender targeted that area on purpose, but I do think it was an incredibly reckless attempt at disrupting Johnson's path into the middle ice."

Westin Michaud, one of Johnson's teammates, suggested online, "The unintentional clip of the Panther player's leg by the Sheffield player caused the somersault. It's clear to me his actions were unintentional and anyone suggesting otherwise is mistaken. Let's come together and not spread unwarranted hate to someone who needs are [sic] support."

Morbid applause

The Sheffield Steelers paid tribute to Johnson at their home Utilita Arena Sheffield on Sunday.

According to the BBC, Royal Air Force representatives set a wreath at center ice. Steelers head coach Aaron Fox and Coventry Blaze coach Danny Stewart similarly laid a wreath in the fallen player's memory. The stadium then observed two minutes of silence.

The event appeared to be good natured and respectful; however, when an image of Petgrave was later displayed on the jumbotron, fans leapt to their feet and cheered for the 31-year-old, who was not on the ice Sunday night, reported the New York Post.

The arrest

Days after Petgrave was applauded, South Yorkshire Police indicated that officers investigating the death of Adam Johnson had made an arrest.

Without naming Petgrave outright, the SYP indicated Tuesday they "arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter. He remains in police custody at this time."

Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said in a statement, "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 on our enquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation."

Horsfall added, "Adam's death has 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."

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