Adam Johnson: No criminal charges brought over death of Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player
Adam Johnson died from a neck injury sustained in Nottingham Panthers' match against the Sheffield Steelers in October 2023; no criminal charges will be brought on the player arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
Tuesday 29 April 2025 14:05, UK
A professional ice hockey player arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, following the death of fellow player Adam Johnson, has been told he will not face any charges.
Mr Johnson was playing for Nottingham Panthers against Sheffield Steelers when he was hit in the neck by Steelers player Matthew Petgrave's skate in October 2023.
The 29-year-old American died in hospital and a post-mortem examination confirmed his cause of death as a neck injury.
On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided it would not bring criminal charges against Mr Petgrave, who is Canadian.
Petgrave spent 17 months on bail after he was arrested in November 2023 and was rebailed seven times by South Yorkshire Police as the investigation continued.
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."
Mr Johnson's death shocked the ice hockey world after being witnessed by thousands of fans at the arena in Sheffield, where received treatment on the ice before being later pronounced dead in hospital.
In January last year, Sheffield's senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her investigation while the police inquiry took its course.
It emerged later that Ms Rawden had issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) about the use of neck guards in the sport.
In the report, the coroner said she was "sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn", with the bodies given 56 days to say what action had been taken - or why action had not been taken.
Neck guards have been mandatory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which both teams compete, since January 2024, which followed the International Ice Hockey Federation's decision to mandate the use of neck laceration protectors for its competitions.
An Elite Ice Hockey League statement in response to the Crown Prosecution Service ruling read: "We note the recent update from South Yorkshire Police that no charges will be brought against Matt Petgrave following the death of Adam Johnson in October 2023.
"Our thoughts remain with everyone involved in the accident, and player safety and welfare remains our top priority."
