No criminal charges to be brought over death of ice hockey star Adam Johnson
29 April 2025, 12:14 | Updated: 29 April 2025, 12:46
An ice hockey player arrested following the death of Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson will not face criminal charges.
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Nottingham Panthers forward Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury from a skate during a collision with a Sheffield Steelers player on 28 October 2023.
The 29-year-old was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital in Sheffield.
The player involved in the collision was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but later bailed.
Now, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed no criminal charges will be brought against him.
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, a former Pittsburgh Penguins player in the NHL, was described as a "great kid who really cared about people" and a "real down to earth guy".
He was laid to rest in his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota in November 2023.
His fiancée, Ryan Wolfe, read a letter at the memorial service.
"You've been so amazingly supportive and kind to me since the day we met," she said.
"And I couldn't have been more grateful for it. I always thought that maybe if I was lucky enough, after a lifetime together, that I might start to be more like you.
"You're such a special person, you have the best sense of humour, the biggest heart, the quickest wit and the kindest soul. You're unbelievably loyal, dedicated and smart. You're so, so smart.
"Whether it came to school or life in general, you just seem to have it all figured out, which gave me so much peace and comfort, and made me feel like we could do anything, or be anything, and we'd be OK. We'd be happy."
