Ice hockey player given no criminal charges over death of Adam Johnson
No criminal charges will be brought against Matt Petgrave over the death of Adam Johnson during a British ice hockey match in 2023. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed in a statement that their investigations have concluded over the shock incident where Johnson was killed by being hit in the neck by the blade of a skate. Johnson tragically lost his life in 2023 and an investigation was opened into the incident2019 Getty Images Michael Quinn, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident. “The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved. “Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution. “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.” Johnson of the Nottingham Panthers died in hospital on October 28, 2023 after extensive on-ice treatment to stop bleeding from his neck. A man was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and Petgrave of the Sheffield Steelers then identified himself as the suspect. According to Nottinghamshire Live, he was re-bailed a number of times after his initial arrest and then launched a fundraising campaign to cover legal costs, raising over £18,000. American forward Johnson was 29 at the time of his death and had previously played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He moved to the UK and to Britain’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) in 2023, shortly before his untimely death. Johnson’s death prompted debate in Britain and back home in North America over the use of neck guards in ice hockey. Many players in the NHL now wear cut resistant neck guardsGetty The EIHL announced it would not make neck guards mandatory, but would ‘strongly encourage’ players and officials to wear them. The coroner for Johnson’s death called for the use of neck guards, with Tanyka Rawden saying in her report: “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. “I am sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn. “In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.” Rawden was addressing the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) who would later announce that they were making neck guards mandatory for all of its competitions which includes the Olympics and world championships. This does not apply to the NHL, EIHL or any other professional league, though.
No criminal charges will be brought against Matt Petgrave over the death of Adam Johnson during a British ice hockey match in 2023.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed in a statement that their investigations have concluded over the shock incident where Johnson was killed by being hit in the neck by the blade of a skate.
Michael Quinn, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident.
“The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.
“Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Johnson of the Nottingham Panthers died in hospital on October 28, 2023 after extensive on-ice treatment to stop bleeding from his neck.
A man was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and Petgrave of the Sheffield Steelers then identified himself as the suspect.
According to Nottinghamshire Live, he was re-bailed a number of times after his initial arrest and then launched a fundraising campaign to cover legal costs, raising over £18,000.
American forward Johnson was 29 at the time of his death and had previously played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He moved to the UK and to Britain’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) in 2023, shortly before his untimely death.
Johnson’s death prompted debate in Britain and back home in North America over the use of neck guards in ice hockey.
The EIHL announced it would not make neck guards mandatory, but would ‘strongly encourage’ players and officials to wear them.
The coroner for Johnson’s death called for the use of neck guards, with Tanyka Rawden saying in her report: “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.
“I am sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn.
“In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.”
Rawden was addressing the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) who would later announce that they were making neck guards mandatory for all of its competitions which includes the Olympics and world championships.
This does not apply to the NHL, EIHL or any other professional league, though.
