Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson in action during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio in 2017. Johnson has died after a “freak accident” during a game in the UK Photo / AP

American hockey player Adam Johnson, who appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020, has died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England on Saturday, his team said. He was 29.

Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers when he suffered the skate cut during the second period of the Elite Ice Hockey League game at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, according to AP.

Johnson’s injury was so horrific it forced the game to be abandoned and left traumatised fans in tears.

The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night.

— The Nottingham Panthers (@PanthersIHC) October 29, 2023

“The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night,” the team said on Sunday.

“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. Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.”

I lost half of my heart today. Love you always Munch

Posted by Kari Johnson on Saturday, October 28, 2023

His aunt Kari shared two photos with her nephew on social media, writing: “I lost half of my heart today.”

Shocking video from the game, which the Herald has chosen not to share, shows a Sheffield Steelers’ player knock into one of Johnson’s teammates before becoming completely airborne and connecting with the Panther’s player.

According to the Daily Mail, Yorkshire Ambulance Service were called at around 8.21pm and sent two ambulances and a critical care paramedic. Johnson was taken to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.

South Yorkshire Police were contacted four minutes later, and confirmed that Johnson was pronounced dead at hospital.

Police officers remained at the scene overnight and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

A Minnesota native, Johnson spent 13 games over parts of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons playing for Pittsburgh in the NHL before spending the 2020-21 season in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks. He had a goal and three assists for the Penguins.

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 29, 2023

“The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the life of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far too soon,” the Penguins said Sunday in a statement. “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 part of the Penguins family.”

We join the hockey world in mourning the devastating passing of Adam Johnson. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and teammates.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 29, 2023

Johnson played college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth, helping the Bulldogs reach two NCAA Tournaments. He scored an overtime game-winner in the 2017 tournament, sending Minnesota-Duluth to the Frozen Four by beating Boston University.

He also played for three American Hockey League clubs during his career and in Germany with the Augsburger Panther in 2022-23 before agreeing to join Nottingham for this season.

Die Eishockeyfamilie trauert um Adam Johnson. Der letztjährige Pantherstürmer wurde Samstagabend im Spiel seiner Nottingham Panthers von einem Schlittschuh am Hals getroffen und erlag seinen schweren Verletzungen. #RIP

— Augsburger Panther (@aevpanther) October 29, 2023

“Our thoughts are also with the fans and staff of both clubs, especially those who attended or were following the game, who will be devastated following today’s news,” the team added.

“The Panthers would like to thank everyone who rushed to support Adam last night in the most testing of circumstances. Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. The club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.”

The league announced that all three games scheduled for Sunday in Belfast, Fife and Guildford were postponed following Johnson’s death. Nottingham’s game scheduled for Tuesday also was postponed.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are deeply saddened and devastated at the news of the sudden passing of former Phantom Adam Johnson during a game in England with the Nottingham Panthers.

The Phantoms send our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Adam, as well as all…

— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) October 29, 2023

Ian Laperriere, who coached Johnson with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, said it was tough news.

“Great kid [and] teammate,” Laperriere said in a text message. “Only great things to say about him.”

The NHL has had skate cut scares throughout its history, most notably Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk, who took a blade to the neck during a game against St Louis on March 22, 1989. Malarchuk received rapid medical attention and played again 10 days later.

- with AP