SHEFFIELD, UK — After careful consideration, prosecutors in Sheffield, England have decided they will not file charges in an incident that claimed the life of a professional hockey player who grew up in northern Minnesota.
Adam Johnson was playing for the England’s Elite Ice Hockey League’s Nottingham Panthers in October of 2023 when he was involved in a collision with an opposing player. During the collision, the skate of Johnson’s opponent from the Sheffield Steelers came up and sliced his neck. Despite emergency care, the Hibbing native did not survive.
At first, Nottingham team officials described the fatal incident as a “freak accident,” but soon the player whose skate cut Johnson was arrested. The skater bailed out and was re-arrested several times as police investigators and prosecutors tried to build a case, but on Tuesday – a year and a half after Johnson’s death – the Crown Prosecution Service of Yorkshire and Humberside announced that no one would be charged in the case.
“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,” said Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn, calling Johnson’s death a shocking and deeply upsetting incident. “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
In a news release, Quinn explained that under England’s “Victims’ Rights to Review” scheme, Johnson’s family or someone else can request a review of the decision not to charge. If the office decides to review, there are two possible outcomes:
- Issue a new decision by overturning the original conclusion not to charge
- Uphold the previous decision and provide an explanation why
Adam Johnson played hockey for Hibbing High School and later was a mainstay at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He played minor league hockey and even a stint for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins before going overseas to play in England.
His death prompted positive change by spurring discussion about player safety at all levels. Neck guards are now required for every youth player in USA Hockey, and a number of professional leagues have followed suit.
