Adam Johnson mourned by Penguins after death from ‘freak’ skate accident

The Pittsburgh Penguins are mourning the death of their former player, Adam Johnson, who died at the age of 29 on Saturday after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England.

“The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the loss of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far too soon,” the Penguins said in a statement posted to social media. “We offer our deepest condolences to Adam’s family and friends, as well as all of Adam’s past and present teammates and coaches. Adam will always be a part of the Penguins family. It was our honor to watch him fulfill his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.”

Johnson, a forward for the Nottingham Panthers, was cut in a second-period collision during an Elite Ice Hockey League game against the Sheffield Steelers, according to BBC.

The game was stopped and fans were asked to leave the arena.

Nottingham, which said Johnson died after a “freak accident,” postponed its Sunday and Tuesday games following Johnson’s death.

“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time,” the team said in a statement.

Johnson, a Minnesota native who played two college seasons with Minnesota Duluth, appeared in 13 NHL games, all with the Penguins.

He appeared in six games during the 2018-19 season and seven the following season.

Johnson spent three years with the Penguins organization, primarily playing for the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He signed with the Malmo Redhawks in Sweden when the COVID pandemic began in 2020, returning stateside in 2021 to join the Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate.

Johnson was traded to the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, in 2022.

He then joined German team Augsburger Panther for the 2022-23 season before joining Nottingham two months ago.