Man Arrested In Death Of MN Hockey Player Adam Johnson

SOUTH YORKSHIRE, U.K. — Police in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom have arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of Adam Johnson, a Minnesota-born hockey player fatally injured during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers last month.

Police did not identify the man arrested, but a post-mortem examination confirmed that Johnson died as a result of a fatal neck injury.

Johnson, 29, died Nov. 4 after taking a skate blade to the neck in a collision with Steelers player Matt Petgrave. The graphic and disturbing incident was caught on video.

"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," Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said in a statement.

"We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our enquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation."

Horsfall said that Johnson's death "sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world" and said, "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."

South Yorkshire police said that Johnson's family "is being supported through the investigation by our officers" and "they have asked for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly difficult time."

The forward for the Nottingham Panthers was skating with the puck during the Nov. 4 game when a Sheffield Steeler player lifted his leg and the blade of his skate slashed Johnson's neck.

Blood immediately gushed from Johnson's neck and a ref escorted him off the rink to receive medical attention. Johnson's team announced his death a day later.

After graduating from Hibbing High School in 2013, Johnson went on to play hockey for the Indiana Ice, Sioux City Musketeers, University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, then professionally for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Malmo Redhawks, Ontario Reign, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Augsburger Panthers and finally, the Nottingham Panthers.