by Supporters and teammates of Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player Adam Johnson have paid moving tributes to the star at the team's first game since his tragic death.
The American, 29, died in hospital after being hit in the neck by an opposing player's skate during a game against the Sheffield Steelers on October 28.
On Saturday night, the Panthers returned to the ice with an Adam Johnson Memorial Game at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, where further tributes were paid to their former teammate.
Also on the field was Johnson's girlfriend, Ryan Wolfe, who he was set to propose to, it was revealed last week.
Fans began leaving tributes outside the arena for Johnson, who also had a spell with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL and joined the Panthers before the 2023–24 season. Then, during the warm-up, the players, wearing special match jerseys, cheered.
The sellout crowd then chanted Johnson's name as the players made their way to center for a tribute.
Players gathered to watch a tribute to Adam Johnson on the screens
(AP)
The memorial match was held three weeks after Adam Johnson, 29, suffered a fatal cut to his neck during a match against Sheffield Steelers.
(AP)
As the lights in the arena dimmed, Johnson's photo appeared on the center scoreboard above the rink, along with the words “forever our 47” in honor of his jersey number, which will be retired in his memory.
During the pregame ceremony, there was applause from the crowd as the players tapped their sticks on the ice.
The special jerseys worn will be raffled off, with proceeds going to the Love for Hibbing & Hockey Memorial Fund, which was established to support charitable causes in Johnson's home area of ​​Hibbing, Minnesota, United States.
The fans applaud in the 47th minute of the match as a tribute to Adam Johnson
(Getty Images)
Floral tributes for Nottingham Panthers' Adam Johnson outside the Motorpoint Arena
(AP)
An inquest into Johnson's death was opened and closed on November 3.
However, Sheffield senior coroner Tanyka Rawden has already called on the sport's governing bodies to take action.
The English Ice Hockey Association has said neck guards will become mandatory from 2024, but the Elite League, in which the Panthers compete, is not under its control. The Elite Ice Hockey League said it would not make neck guards mandatory, but would “strongly encourage” players and officials to wear them.
On November 14, a man was arrested by South Yorkshire Police on suspicion of manslaughter following Mr Johnson's death. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
