Investigators in England arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter more than two weeks after the death of Adam Johnson — a former Minnesota Duluth hockey player from Hibbing who died after his neck was cut by another player's skate during a game in late October.
Johnson, 29, playing for the Nottingham Panthers, was carrying the puck into the offensive zone on Oct. 28 when Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave's skate blade slashed below his helmet. Johnson dropped to the ice and was later helped off by a teammate, his jersey and the ice both bloodied. Johnson died at the hospital — the result of the fatal neck injury.
The man who was arrested was released on bail Wednesday, English authorities said.
"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 Tuesday in a news release from South Yorkshire Police.
"We have been speaking to highly specialized 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," according to the Police Department.
They did not name the suspect, who is in custody — though it was Petgrave's blade that hit Johnson.
Davey Johnson, the late player's father who lives in Hibbing, did not want to comment on the investigation.
The Elite Ice Hockey League game was called off after Johnson left the ice, and the 8,000 fans in the arena were cleared. Soon after, the league recommended neck protection for players, but didn't require it. USA Hockey "strongly recommends" the protectors, but few players use them.
It's not required at the college level, but Minnesota Duluth forward Luke Loheit said soon after Johnson's death that he would start wearing one — in part as a message to players at the youth level, where the equipment is also optional.
"You want to make sure that kids are taking care of their bodies, that they're safe out there, too," Loheit said.
At Minnesota-based Warroad Hockey Co., cut-resistant neck and wrist guards quickly sold out in the days after Johnson's death.
Tributes continue
There have been countless tributes to the well-liked player. On Tuesday, the Panthers wrote his name into the ice of their home rink. When UMD hosted the Gophers in early November at Amsoil Arena, there was a highlight video and seven seconds of silence — a nod to the number Johnson wore for years on his jersey.
In Hibbing, a shrine grew in front of Johnson's home ice in the days after his death. Visitors placed flowers, pucks, sticks, jerseys, notes and photographs in front of the Hibbing Memorial Building Arena. About 3,000 people filled the arena for a celebration of life, including leadership from the Panthers' program who remembered him as hardworking with a contagious smile and no ego.
"Adam left a substantial impact that won't be forgotten in our club," Nottingham CEO Omar Pacha said at the event. "He made everyone better. He was able to bring energy into that room that no one else could."
Through a spokesperson, UMD coach Scott Sandelin, who coached Johnson from 2015 to 2017, declined to comment Tuesday.
It is rare for a hockey player to be charged with a crime for an on-ice incident. Marty McSorley was found guilty of assault in British Columbia after a two-handed slash on Donald Brashear in 2000; Todd Bertuzzi grabbed Steve Moore from behind and punched him in 2004. Neither served time in prison.
The Sheffield Steelers hosted their first home game since Johnson's death on Sunday, with coaches placing a wreath on the ice as a memorial. His image was on the scoreboard during a moment of silence, according to a report from the BBC. Petgrave did not play — but did get a round of applause from the home crowd.
"The support for Matt inside the country and within the hockey community has been overwhelming," Steelers coach Aaron Fox told the BBC. "Matt has been in every day, getting some work for the stuff he is going through as well, but I'm sure that reaction made him feel good."
Nottingham is scheduled to host a memorial game this weekend — its first since Johnson died. It is raising money for the Love for Hibbing and Hockey Memorial Fund. Johnson played seven games this season. He had four goals and three assists.
The video of the collision between Johnson and Petgrave has had wide circulation on social media, where the moment of contact has been analyzed closely by some users.
Johnson's high school coach Mark DeCenzo hasn't watched it — and he won't. That's not the last vision he wants of the four-year varsity player who coaxed him into deferring his retirement, he said.
"It makes it a harder pill to swallow," DeCenzo said. "The reality is, it doesn't change anything. Whether it was on purpose or on accident, we lost Adam."
NHL vice president of hockey operations Rod Pasma addressed general managers at their annual November meeting in Toronto on the matter of cut-proof equipment. Pasma said players have far more options than a decade ago, including 10 or more choices for wrist, body and Achilles tendon/foot protection.
''In the neck, we're getting there,'' Pasma said. ''We [did not have] many a month ago, but as it sits today, I think there's up to eight companies on my desk waiting to be cleared, and of those eight there's probably 12-14 options to wear, should they choose.''
The league's chief medical officer, Dr. Willem Meeuwisse, said team doctors and trainers took part in a big education session on major lacerations in the spring.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
